Missouri Southern vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

Missouri Southern vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern or WUSTL ? 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 WUSTL ($11,626 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 58.3% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($9,119 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 634.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $56,830 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 285.2% higher at WUSTL than at Missouri Southern State University (about $48,710 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Southern State University than at Washington University in St Louis (90% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 769.8% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($66,080 vs. $7,597).

Missouri Southern vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 250 points higher than at Missouri Southern (1290).
• Incoming WUSTL students have a 14 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Missouri Southern vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $46,200 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $931 lower median loan debt than Missouri Southern graduates ($19,900 vs. $20,831).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri Southern graduates ($205 vs. $215).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.