Northwest vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwest Missouri State University is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (9,152 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Northwest Missouri 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: Northwest Missouri State University 16:1; William Woods University 16:1.

Northwest vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest 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 Northwest Missouri State University than WWU ($16,790 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Missouri State University are 5.9% lower than at William Woods University ($12,282 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 185.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest (about $19,729 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $10,611.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.1% higher at WWU than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $13,016 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Woods University than at Northwest Missouri State University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 144% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($22,204 vs. $9,101).

Northwest vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest 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 Northwest.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwest - Test optional; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Northwest students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at WWU (3.4).
• Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Northwest vs. 23.6% at WWU.

Northwest vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest 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 Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than WWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $3,563 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($21,437 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($221 vs. $258).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 63%)

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.