SWOSU vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (5,186 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Weatherford, OK (Remote Town setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern Oklahoma State University 19:1; Messenger College 8:1.

SWOSU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWOSU or Messenger College? 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University than Messenger College ($14,410 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 42.6% lower than at Messenger College ($7,634 vs. $13,305).
• Messenger College is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWOSU (about $3,151 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $8,469.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.7% higher at Messenger College than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (about $3,121 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $8,499.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Oklahoma State University as at Messenger College (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Oklahoma State University students is 126% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($8,906 vs. $3,940).

SWOSU vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWOSU or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and SWOSU.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern Oklahoma State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWOSU - Not reported; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SWOSU students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Messenger College (2.9).

SWOSU vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWOSU and Messenger College? 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).

• Southwestern Oklahoma State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of about $24,600 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More SWOSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 40%)

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.