MWSU vs. College of Saint Mary

Comparable Facts

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

Missouri Western State University is larger than College of Saint Mary based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting); College of Saint Mary is in Omaha, NE (Large City setting).
• Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Western State University 15:1; College of Saint Mary 8:1.

MWSU vs. College of Saint Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWSU or College of Saint Mary? 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 College of Saint Mary ($13,126 vs. $17,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Mary are 26.2% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($9,084 vs. $12,311).
• College of Saint Mary is 137.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $14,204 more per year; $24,510.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at College of Saint Mary than at Missouri Western State University (about $3,644 more per year; $24,510.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Mary than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Mary students is 103.9% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($18,847 vs. $9,245).

MWSU vs. College of Saint Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MWSU or College of Saint Mary? 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 College of Saint Mary and MWSU.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MWSU - Open admission; College of Saint Mary - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman College of Saint Mary students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at MWSU (3.25).

MWSU vs. College of Saint Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MWSU and College of Saint Mary? 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.

• College of Saint Mary's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Mary earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,300 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $4,182 lower median loan debt than College of Saint Mary graduates ($21,818 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of Saint Mary graduates ($225 vs. $268).
• More College of Saint Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.