MWSU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Should I go to Missouri Western State University or University of Missouri Kansas City? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MWSU or University of Missouri-Kansas City is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Missouri Western State University vs. University of Missouri Kansas City comparison
Missouri Western State University University of Missouri Kansas City College 3 College 4
University of Missouri Kansas City
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

MWSU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Location Saint Joseph, MO Kansas City, MO
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 3,817 15,277
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #281
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website missouriwestern.edu umkc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MWSU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Tuition (In State) $6,985 $10,444
Tuition (Out of State) $14,685 $27,244
Room & Board $10,975 $12,118
Avg Net Price $12,764 $14,201
Avg Grant Aid $8,500 $10,130
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 90%

Admission

MWSU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 5,802
Admitted - 4,351
Acceptance Rate Open 75%
Enrolled % Open 29.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 3.54
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29
SAT Range 1150/1540
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 15, 2026

Academics

MWSU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

MWSU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Graduation Rate 27% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,500 $55,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,818 $21,000
Median Loan Payment $225 $217

Diversity

MWSU University of Missouri-Kansas City
% Men 2% 15%
% Women 4% 19%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 58%
% Black 10% 15%
% Hispanic 1% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

MWSU University of Missouri-Kansas City
% In-State 82% 68%
% Out-of-State 17% 29%

Campus

MWSU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Missouri Kansas City is larger than than MWSU based on total student enrollment (15,277 students vs. 3,817 students)

MWSU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWSU or University of Missouri-Kansas City?

  • University of Missouri Kansas City is 49.5% more expensive to attend than MWSU for in-state tuition ($10,444.00 vs. $6,985.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.5% higher at University of Missouri-Kansas City than Missouri Western State University ($27,244.00 vs. $14,685.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Western State University than University of Missouri-Kansas City ($12,764 vs. $14,201)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Western State University are 10.4% lower than costs at University of Missouri Kansas City ($10,975 vs. $12,118)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Missouri Western State University than University of Missouri Kansas City (95% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Kansas City students is 19.2% larger than aid received Missouri Western State University ($10,130 vs. $8,500)

Which college is harder to get into, MWSU or University of Missouri-Kansas City? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Missouri-Kansas City or MWSU .

  • Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Kansas City students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at MWSU (3.25)

MWSU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MWSU or University of Missouri-Kansas City? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Missouri-Kansas City and MWSU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Missouri-Kansas City is higher than Missouri Western State University (41% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from University of Missouri Kansas City earn on average $18,600 more per year than MWSU graduates after ten years. ($55,100 vs. $36,500)
  • University of Missouri Kansas City students graduate with a $818 lower median federal student loan debt than MWSU graduates. ($21,000 vs. $21,818)
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than MWSU graduates. ($217 vs. $225)
  • More University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/