Midwestern State University combines open admission with earnings that exceed expectations by $5,293. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university maintains well above average affordability while serving 40% Pell-eligible students, supporting economic advancement through practical, career-focused programs particularly strong in health professions.
In the above average tier, driven by earnings that exceed expectations for the institution's student demographics
Controlled costs and strong value delivery relative to peer institutions in the well above average tier
In the above average tier, reflecting meaningful enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
The university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations within the well above average tier
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisMidwestern State University delivers strong value through controlled costs and earnings that exceed expectations for its student population. Graduates earn a median of $55,747 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 59th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $37,019 at the 25th percentile to $80,113 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse program offerings and career pathways across health professions, business, and technical fields. The institution generates $5,293 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 74.7th percentile nationally on this value-added measure.
Students seeking practical, career-focused programs with strong post-graduation employment prospects. Particularly well-suited for those interested in health professions, nursing, or technical fields where MSU delivers above-average outcomes with manageable debt.
The university's open admission policy and strong support for first-generation students (38.2%) makes it accessible to diverse backgrounds while maintaining solid earning potential.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Midwestern State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/midwestern-state-university/analysis.
Well above average affordability performance
Midwestern State University leads with well above average affordability performance, ranking at the 81.1st percentile nationally. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this medium-sized public university maintains an open admission policy with an 87.4% acceptance rate while delivering solid post-graduation outcomes.
Midwestern State University enrolls 40.0% Pell-eligible students and 38.2% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $5,293 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 74.7th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $55,747 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the 59th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. Compared to a peer median of $50,116, graduates earn $5,631 more annually.
This combination of open admission standards, strong access measures, and above-average economic outcomes places Midwestern State University within the Opportunity Builders quadrant, where institutions provide educational access alongside meaningful career preparation.
Midwestern State University admits approximately 87.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 8 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Open Access category, with admission rates above 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows Midwestern State University is slightly more accessible than typical institutions of its type, admitting about 2.8 percentage points more applicants than peer institutions. This level of accessibility means that most academically prepared students who apply can expect admission, making MSU a viable option for students seeking solid post-graduation outcomes without highly competitive admission requirements.
The university's open admission policy supports its mission to serve diverse student populations, including 40.0% Pell-eligible and 38.2% first-generation students. Students should view Midwestern State University as an accessible option that provides strong value and career preparation, particularly for those interested in health professions, business, and technical fields.
This admission rate allows students to focus on program fit and career goals rather than admission competitiveness when building their college lists.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Midwestern State University's published cost of attendance is $22,411 per year, including $12,260 in out-of-state tuition ($10,310 for Texas residents), $10,240 for room and board, and $600 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $11,882 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,529 compared to the sticker price.
This net price is $2,211 below the peer median of $14,093, demonstrating the university's commitment to affordability. The substantial gap between published costs and actual net price reflects effective financial aid packaging that makes higher education accessible to diverse student populations.
Texas residents benefit from significantly lower tuition rates, with in-state students paying $1,950 less in tuition than out-of-state students. The university's affordability index ranks at the 81.1st percentile nationally, placing it in the well above average tier for cost management and value delivery.
This combination of reasonable sticker prices and effective financial aid creates favorable conditions for students seeking quality education without excessive financial burden, particularly supporting the 40.0% of students who are Pell-eligible.
Midwestern State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their early careers. Median earnings rise from $46,637 six years after enrollment to $52,991 at eight years and $55,747 at ten years, representing 19.5% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,925 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across the university's diverse program portfolio. Graduates earn $5,293 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Midwestern State University in the 74.7th percentile for earnings uplift relative to student demographics.
Low-income graduates earn $45,300, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Earnings span from $37,019 at the 25th percentile to $80,113 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 26.5% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways across the institution's health, business, and technical program offerings.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puerto Rico-Carolina Similar quality tier (#309 ranked) | PR | 53% | $30,626 | #309 | Compare |
Southeastern Louisiana University Similar quality tier in Southwest (#311 ranked) | LA | 94% | $46,482 | #311 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Similar quality tier (#312 ranked) | VA | 82% | $77,369 | #312 | Compare |
Jacksonville State University Similar quality tier (#313 ranked) | AL | 76% | $45,235 | #313 | Compare |
University Of South Carolina-Upstate Similar quality tier (#306 ranked) | SC | 70% | $48,587 | #306 | Compare |
Artificial Intelligence.
17 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
175 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
50 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other.
261 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
42 graduates
Midwestern State University offers 14 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ranks #7 nationally and #1 in Texas, producing 261 graduates with median earnings of $62,761 and an exceptional value score of 91.9, marking it as the university's flagship program.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #78 nationally and #5 in Texas, graduating 175 students with strong median earnings of $77,570 and a solid value score of 71.9. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies ranks #41 nationally and #18 in Texas, serving 168 graduates with earnings of $44,046.
Aerospace Physiology and Medicine stands out with a #18 national ranking and #1 state ranking, graduating 31 students with median earnings of $51,776. Mechanical Engineering ranks #215 nationally but maintains strong earnings potential at $67,147 for its 50 graduates.
The university's health profession programs demonstrate particular strength, with Allied Health programs combining high enrollment, top-tier rankings, and exceptional value delivery for students.
