Southeast Missouri State University vs. Central State University

Should I go to Southeast Missouri State University or Central State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southeast Missouri State University or Central State University 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.

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Southeast Missouri State University vs. Central State University comparison
Southeast Missouri State University Central State University College 3 College 4
Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
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Overview

Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
Location Cape Girardeau, MO Wilberforce, OH
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 9,686 3,454
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #954 #1017
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website semo.edu centralstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
Tuition (In State) $8,152 $5,404
Tuition (Out of State) $8,152 $7,404
Room & Board $11,486 $11,390
Avg Net Price $14,843 $14,821
Avg Grant Aid $8,974 $6,318
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 86%

Admission

Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,462 3,291
Admitted 5,858 1,514
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 46%
Enrolled % 22% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 2.8
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/21 14/18
SAT Range 850/1030 770/950
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
Graduation Rate 46% 24%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $27,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 16%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,527 $39,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $403

Diversity

Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
% Men 8% 0%
% Women 9% 0%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 77% 1%
% Black 10% 95%
% Hispanic 2% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 7% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
% In-State 76% 47%
% Out-of-State 18% 44%

Campus

Southeast Missouri State University Central State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southeast Missouri State University is larger than than Central State University based on total student enrollment (9,686 students vs. 3,454 students)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeast Missouri State University or Central State University?

  • Southeast Missouri State University is 50.9% more expensive to attend than Central State University for in-state tuition ($8,152.00 vs. $5,404.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.1% higher at Southeast Missouri State University than Central State University ($8,152.00 vs. $7,404.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central State University than Southeast Missouri State University ($14,821 vs. $14,843)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 0.8% lower than costs at Southeast Missouri State University ($11,390 vs. $11,486)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southeast Missouri State University than Central State University (93% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southeast Missouri State University students is 42% larger than aid received Central State University ($8,974 vs. $6,318)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Central State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southeast Missouri State University (1050) is 273 points higher than at Central State University (777)
  • Incoming Southeast Missouri State University students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Central State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.73 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Central State University (2.8)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Central State University (46%)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southeast Missouri State University or Central State University? 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 Central State University and Southeast Missouri State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southeast Missouri State University is higher than Central State University (46% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Southeast Missouri State University earn on average $13,300 more per year than Central State University graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $27,200)
  • Southeast Missouri State University students graduate with a $16,473 lower median federal student loan debt than Central State University graduates. ($22,527 vs. $39,000)
  • Southeast Missouri State University graduates are paying $171 less per month on federal student loans than Central State University graduates. ($232 vs. $403)
  • More Southeast Missouri State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 16%)

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