Southeast Missouri State University vs. Messenger College

Should I go to Southeast Missouri State University or Messenger College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southeast Missouri State University or Messenger College 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. Messenger College comparison
Southeast Missouri State University Messenger College College 3 College 4
Southeast Missouri State University
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Overview

Southeast Missouri State University Messenger College
Location Cape Girardeau, MO Joplin, TX
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 9,686 26
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #954
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website semo.edu messengercollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southeast Missouri State University Messenger College
Tuition (In State) $8,152 $9,600
Tuition (Out of State) $8,152 $9,600
Room & Board $11,486 $12,635
Avg Net Price $14,843 $18,221
Avg Grant Aid $8,974 $7,978
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

Southeast Missouri State University Messenger College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,462 14
Admitted 5,858 7
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 50%
Enrolled % 22% 100%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/21
SAT Range 850/1030
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 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Southeast Missouri State University Messenger College
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (83%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

Southeast Missouri State University Messenger College
Graduation Rate 46% 10%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $24,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,527 N/A
Median Loan Payment $232 N/A

Diversity

Southeast Missouri State University Messenger College
% Men 8% 19%
% Women 9% 35%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 77% 54%
% Black 10% 18%
% Hispanic 2% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 8%

Students

Southeast Missouri State University Messenger College
% In-State 76% 50%
% Out-of-State 18% 50%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southeast Missouri State University is larger than than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (9,686 students vs. 26 students)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

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

  • Messenger College is 17.8% more expensive to attend than Southeast Missouri State University for in-state tuition ($9,600.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.8% higher at Messenger College than Southeast Missouri State University ($9,600.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southeast Missouri State University than Messenger College ($14,843 vs. $18,221)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeast Missouri State University are 10% lower than costs at Messenger College ($11,486 vs. $12,635)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messenger College than Southeast Missouri State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southeast Missouri State University students is 12.5% larger than aid received Messenger College ($8,974 vs. $7,978)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Messenger College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Messenger College (2.9)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Messenger College (50%)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southeast Missouri State University is higher than Messenger College (46% vs. 10%)
  • Graduates from Southeast Missouri State University earn on average $16,500 more per year than Messenger College graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $24,000)
  • More Southeast Missouri State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 40%)

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