Missouri Southern vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Washington University is larger than Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Missouri Southern vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University ($11,626 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 42.1% lower than at Western Washington University ($9,119 vs. $15,747).
• Western Washington University is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $622 more per year; $9,582.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.1% higher at Western Washington University than at Missouri Southern State University (about $11,627 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at Missouri Southern State University (93% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Southern State University students is 10.1% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($7,597 vs. $6,902).

Missouri Southern vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 20 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Missouri Southern students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Western Washington University (93.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Missouri Southern vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern and Western Washington University? 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).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $1,418 lower median loan debt than Missouri Southern graduates ($19,413 vs. $20,831).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri Southern graduates ($200 vs. $215).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.