MWSU vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than MWSU based on total student enrollment (5,881 students vs. 3,716 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Western State University 15:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

MWSU vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWSU or UNK? 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 UNK ($13,126 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 0.9% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($12,198 vs. $12,311).
• Missouri Western State University is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $1,630 more per year; $10,306.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.5% higher at MWSU than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $5,582 more per year; $20,866.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Western State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (96% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($9,776 vs. $9,245).

MWSU vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MWSU or UNK? 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 UNK and MWSU.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MWSU - Open admission; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MWSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at UNK (3.24).

MWSU vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MWSU and UNK? 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).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $568 lower median loan debt than MWSU graduates ($21,250 vs. $21,818).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MWSU graduates ($219 vs. $225).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 53%)

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.