MWSU vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Western State University is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Western State University 15:1; William Woods University 16:1.

MWSU vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWSU or WWU? 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 WWU ($13,126 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Western State University are 5.7% lower than at William Woods University ($12,311 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 194.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $20,034 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.4% higher at WWU than at Missouri Western State University (about $9,474 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Woods University than at Missouri Western State University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 140.2% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($22,204 vs. $9,245).

MWSU vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MWSU or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and MWSU.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MWSU - Open admission; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman WWU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at MWSU (3.25).

MWSU vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MWSU and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• William Woods University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from William Woods University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $381 lower median loan debt than MWSU graduates ($21,437 vs. $21,818).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MWSU graduates ($221 vs. $225).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.