ULM vs. Missouri Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA with Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Monroe is larger than Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (8,601 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); Missouri Southern State University is in Joplin, MO (Small City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; Missouri Southern State University 15:1.

ULM vs. Missouri Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM or Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern State University than ULM ($11,626 vs. $13,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 13.6% lower than at University of Louisiana at Monroe ($9,119 vs. $10,554).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $230 more per year; $9,190.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at ULM than at Missouri Southern State University (about $4,210 more per year; $21,290.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at Missouri Southern State University (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students is 75.6% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($13,338 vs. $7,597).

ULM vs. Missouri Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ULM or Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern and ULM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 30 points higher than at ULM (1260).
• Incoming ULM students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; Missouri Southern State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; Missouri Southern - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ULM students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than ULM (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 20.5% at Missouri Southern.

ULM vs. Missouri Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM and Missouri Southern? 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).

• The graduation rate at ULM is the same as at Missouri Southern State University (33% vs. 33%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Monroe earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $831 lower median loan debt than Missouri Southern graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,831).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri Southern graduates ($206 vs. $215).
• More Missouri Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 49%)

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.