ATU vs. MSU

Arkansas Tech University and Midwestern State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Arkansas Tech University
Midwestern State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MSU (93.5% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU. Average net price is $11,215 vs $12,626 at ATU.
  • Graduation: ATU 43% vs MSU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ATU $37,100 vs MSU $44,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Arkansas Tech University Midwestern State University
Acceptance rate
MSU more selective
ATU95.9%
MSU93.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MSU higher
ATU880-1100
MSU910-1100
Average net price
MSU $1,411 less
ATU$12,626
MSU$11,215
In-state tuition
ATU $1,906 less
ATU$8,674
MSU$10,580
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $2,138 less
ATU$14,668
MSU$12,530
Graduation rate
ATU +9 pts
ATU43%
MSU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSU +$7,200
ATU$37,100
MSU$44,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at ATU and MSU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at ATU Check my chances at MSU
  • Applied
  • ATU 3,654
  • MSU 7,803
  • Admitted
  • ATU 3,504
  • MSU 7,297
  • Acceptance rate
  • ATU 95.9%
  • MSU 93.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ATU 33.6%
  • MSU 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ATU 990
  • MSU 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • ATU 20
  • MSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • ATU 3.37
  • MSU 3.2
  • Typical high school grades
  • ATU B+
  • MSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • ATU Extremely Easy
  • MSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • ATU
  • MSU
  • SAT range
  • ATU 880-1100
  • MSU 910-1100
  • ACT range
  • ATU 17-23
  • MSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • ATU Required
  • MSU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • ATU
  • MSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ATU $8,674
  • MSU $10,580
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ATU $14,668
  • MSU $12,530
  • Room & board
  • ATU $10,338
  • MSU $11,124
  • Average net price
  • ATU $12,626
  • MSU $11,215
  • Average grant aid
  • ATU $9,901
  • MSU $11,037
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ATU 93%
  • MSU 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • ATU 43%
  • MSU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ATU $37,100
  • MSU $44,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • ATU 51%
  • MSU 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ATU $17,750
  • MSU $22,299
  • Median loan payment
  • ATU $183
  • MSU $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ATU 17:1
  • MSU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • ATU
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • MSU
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (22%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Location
  • ATU Russellville, AR
  • MSU Wichita Falls, TX
  • Setting
  • ATU Remote Town
  • MSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • ATU 8,746
  • MSU 5,324
  • Type
  • ATU Public 4 Year
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ATU #960
  • MSU #878

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 7.1% lower than at Midwestern State University ($10,338 vs. $11,124).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at ATU than at Midwestern State University (about $2,138 more per year; $14,668 vs. $12,530).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at Midwestern State University (93% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($11,037 vs. $9,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at ATU than at MSU (20 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at ATU, test-free at MSU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ATU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at MSU (3.2).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 12.9% at MSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $4,549 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($17,750 vs. $22,299).
  • Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($183 vs. $230).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 51%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Arkansas Tech University
Midwestern State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges