MWSU vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO with Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Western State University is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting); Southwestern Christian University is in Bethany, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Western State University 15:1; Southwestern Christian University 13:1.

MWSU vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWSU or SCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Western State University than SCU ($13,126 vs. $20,528).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Christian University are 18% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($10,100 vs. $12,311).
• Southwestern Christian University is 112.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $11,594 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at SCU than at Missouri Western State University (about $1,034 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Christian University than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Christian University students is 38.3% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($12,784 vs. $9,245).

MWSU vs. SCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MWSU or SCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCU and MWSU.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MWSU - Open admission; SCU - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman MWSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at SCU (3.22).

MWSU vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MWSU and SCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Southwestern Christian University's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Missouri Western State University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than SCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,500 vs. $27,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $5,182 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($21,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($225 vs. $279).
• More MWSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.