Central vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Missouri 18:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Central vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central 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 University of Central Missouri than Messenger College ($14,943 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 19.3% lower than at Messenger College ($10,740 vs. $13,305).
• Messenger College is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central (about $1,570 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.1% higher at Central than at Messenger College (about $6,980 more per year; $18,600.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Missouri than at Messenger College (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Missouri students is 98.2% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($7,811 vs. $3,940).

Central vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central 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 Central.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Missouri 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central - Test optional; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• Central has a higher acceptance rate (63.8%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Central vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Central vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central 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).

• University of Central Missouri's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.