Central vs. Northwest

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

 Central Northwest
Location Warrensburg, MO Maryville, MO
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 11,637 8,505
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #708 #914
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucmo.edu nwmissouri.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central Northwest
Tuition (In State) $8,040 $6,015
Tuition (Out of State) $16,080 $12,082
Room & Board $9,699 $10,428
Avg Net Price $15,117 $14,197
Avg Grant Aid $6,517 $8,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 95%

Admission

 Central Northwest
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,993 6,877
Admitted 3,562 5,884
Acceptance Rate 71.3% 85.6%
Enrolled % 28.9% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 938/1158
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Central Northwest
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Agriculture (6%)
  • General Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Central Northwest
Graduation Rate 50% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,500 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,441 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $258

Diversity

 Central Northwest
% Men 46% 38%
% Women 54% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 79%
% Black 11% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 Central Northwest
% In-State 88% 65%
% Out-of-State 11% 33%

Campus

 Central Northwest
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Missouri is larger than than Northwest based on total student enrollment (11,637 students vs. 8,505 students)

Central vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central or Northwest?

  • University of Central Missouri is 33.7% more expensive to attend than Northwest for in-state tuition ($8,040.00 vs. $6,015.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.1% higher at Central than Northwest Missouri State University ($16,080.00 vs. $12,082.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest Missouri State University than Central ($14,197 vs. $15,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 7.5% lower than costs at Northwest Missouri State University ($9,699 vs. $10,428)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Missouri than Northwest Missouri State University (98% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 28.7% larger than aid received University of Central Missouri ($8,387 vs. $6,517)

Central vs. Northwest Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwest Missouri State University (1047) is 37 points higher than at Central (1010)
  • Incoming Northwest students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Central (22)
  • Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Northwest (3.45)
  • Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (85.6%) than Central (71.3%)

Central vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central or Northwest? 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 Northwest and Central.

  • The graduation rate at Central is higher than Northwest Missouri State University (50% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn on average $300 more per year than Northwest graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $41,200)
  • University of Central Missouri students graduate with a $2,559 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwest graduates. ($22,441 vs. $25,000)
  • Central graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Northwest graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More Northwest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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