NWOSU vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Midwestern State University is larger than NWOSU based on total student enrollment (5,324 students vs. 2,079 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Alva, OK (Remote Town setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern Oklahoma State University 15:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

NWOSU vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NWOSU or MSU? 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 Northwestern Oklahoma State University than MSU ($10,492 vs. $11,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 48.6% lower than at Midwestern State University ($5,720 vs. $11,124).
• Midwestern State University is 77.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NWOSU (about $4,610 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $5,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at MSU than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (about $866 more per year; $12,530.00 vs. $11,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern Oklahoma State University than at Midwestern State University (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Northwestern Oklahoma State University students ($11,037 vs. $9,011).

NWOSU vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NWOSU or MSU? 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 MSU and NWOSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Midwestern State University (1010) is 90 points higher than at NWOSU (920).
• Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at NWOSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern Oklahoma State University 803/1036; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern Oklahoma State University 16/21; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NWOSU - Required; MSU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman NWOSU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than NWOSU (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.7% at NWOSU vs. 12.9% at MSU.

NWOSU vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NWOSU and MSU? 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).

• Northwestern Oklahoma State University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than NWOSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $7,984 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($14,315 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, NWOSU graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($148 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NWOSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

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.