University of St. Mary vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, KS with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Western State University is larger than University of St. Mary based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 1,462 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Saint Mary is located in Leavenworth, KS (Distant Town setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• University of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Saint Mary 11:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

University of St. Mary vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St. Mary or MWSU? 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 Western State University than University of St. Mary ($13,126 vs. $23,020).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Mary are 16.1% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($10,328 vs. $12,311).
• University of Saint Mary is 243.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $25,074 more per year; $35,380.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.6% higher at University of St. Mary than at Missouri Western State University (about $14,514 more per year; $35,380.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Saint Mary than at Missouri Western State University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Mary students is 178.3% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($25,726 vs. $9,245).

University of St. Mary vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St. Mary or MWSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MWSU and University of St. Mary .

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Saint Mary 806/1028.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Saint Mary 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of St. Mary - Test optional; MWSU - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman University of St. Mary students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at MWSU (3.25).

University of St. Mary vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of St. Mary and MWSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Saint Mary's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from University of Saint Mary earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $1,932 lower median loan debt than University of St. Mary graduates ($21,818 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St. Mary graduates ($225 vs. $245).
• More University of St. Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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.