Midwestern State University: 92.4% Acceptance Rate

92.4%Acceptance

$10,310Tuition

4,043Students

41%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$55,747Earnings

Public4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindNCAA Division IIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Midwestern State University

Midwestern State University draws 4,043 students to Wichita Falls, a mid-sized Texas city near the Oklahoma border. The regional public university has built its reputation around practical business programs designed for working students and non-traditional learners. Notable alumni include NFL player Louis Johnson, reflecting the school's connection to Texas athletics and professional success. With a 92% acceptance rate, MSU welcomes students who might not fit the traditional college mold.

Students pay an average net price of $11,882 after financial aid, making it one of Texas's more affordable options. Graduates earn a median salary of $55,747 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $21,030. The math works in students' favor, with monthly loan payments averaging just $223. Low-income families pay even less, with net prices dropping to $9,575 for households earning under $30,000.

Women make up 63% of the student body, and nearly all students (96%) come from Texas. The 41% graduation rate reflects the school's mission serving working adults and first-generation college students who face different challenges than traditional students. With 397 athletes competing across 12 NCAA Division II sports, the Mustangs provide opportunities beyond academics in the Lone Star Conference.

Academics & Faculty

Midwestern State University operates as a regional public university focused on practical, career-oriented education. The business program draws students seeking direct pathways to employment in North Texas. With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay relatively small for a public institution. However, the 41% graduation rate reflects challenges many working students face completing degrees. The university serves a population where 95% of students come from Texas, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere. Programs emphasize hands-on learning and industry connections rather than theoretical research. Students often balance coursework with part-time jobs, which the flexible scheduling accommodates but also explains extended time-to-degree completion.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Full-Time Faculty: 70.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 41.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 41.3%
Retention Rate: 63.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $55,747
Carnegie Classification: Master's University (Large)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$119,061
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Master	$91,744
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$66,631
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Bachelor	$61,516
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$59,124
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Bachelor	$57,755
Mechanical Engineering.	Bachelor	$55,964
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Bachelor	$52,107
Special Education and Teaching.	Master	$48,139
Educational Administration and Supervision.	Master	$46,478

View all 71 programs →

Campus Life

This North Texas campus houses just 1,536 students in residence halls, meaning only about 38% of the 4,043 enrolled students live on campus. The majority commute from Wichita Falls and surrounding areas, creating a distinctly different vibe from traditional college towns. You'll need both sunscreen and a winter jacket here, as Texas summers reach the 90s while January temperatures can dip into the 30s.

Wichita Falls sits about two hours northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, close enough for weekend trips to major cities but far enough to feel like its own community. With 63% of students being women and 96% coming from in-state, the campus tends to feel tight-knit despite the commuter population. Many students work part-time jobs while attending classes, reflecting the university's reputation for serving working students. Weekend activities often center around the Mustangs' 12 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division II, or students head to nearby Sheppard Air Force Base events. The Lone Star Conference athletics provide regular entertainment, though don't expect the massive game-day crowds of larger universities.

Setting: City-Midsize
Housing Capacity: 1,536 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

19 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Stalking	5	0
Aggravated Assault	3	1
Burglary	2	2
Dating Violence	2	1
Rape	1	1
Domestic Violence	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 30°–54°F
July Avg: 72°–97°F
Annual Precipitation: 27.9"
Annual Snowfall: 3.1"

Student Demographics

Nearly all students at Midwestern State come from Texas, reflecting the university's role as a regional institution serving North Texas communities. The student body is 40% Pell Grant recipients, showing the school's commitment to making higher education accessible to working-class families. Women outnumber men by nearly two to one, largely due to strong programs in nursing and education that traditionally attract female students. The diverse racial composition mirrors the changing demographics of Texas, with significant Hispanic and Black populations alongside white students. This mix creates a campus that understands the needs of first-generation college students and working adults.

Men: 36.6%
Women: 63.4%
White: 43.2%
Black: 15.5%
Hispanic: 25.8%
Asian: 3.5%
In-State Students: 95.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 40.0%

Location

Midwestern State University sits in Wichita Falls, Texas, about 140 miles northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth. The city of roughly 100,000 residents serves as a regional center for North Texas, blending small-town accessibility with mid-sized city amenities. Wichita Falls earned its name from a series of waterfalls on the Wichita River, though the falls themselves were washed away by flooding decades ago. The area maintains strong ties to agriculture and oil industry heritage while supporting a growing healthcare sector. With 95.50% of students coming from in-state, MSU draws heavily from the surrounding region. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Midwestern State University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Wichita Falls, Texas 76308-2099

Midwestern State University Hardin Administration Building

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $55,747
Median Earnings (5 years): $58,560
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $42,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 55.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $223/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $21,030

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Midwestern State University?

Midwestern State University accepts 92.43% of applicants, making it highly accessible to students. The school serves as a regional public university focused on providing educational opportunities to North Texas students, with 95.50% of students coming from in-state.

How much does Midwestern State University cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $11,882 annually, with lower-income families paying even less. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $9,575 after aid, while the median debt load of $21,030 remains manageable with monthly payments around $223.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Midwestern State University?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 16:1 across the university's 4,043 enrolled students. MSU is particularly known for its business programs and serves many working students who benefit from the personalized attention this ratio provides.

What are the graduation rates at Midwestern State University?

The six-year graduation rate is 41.30%, reflecting the school's focus on serving working students who often take longer to complete degrees. Despite the extended timeline, graduates earn a median salary of $55,747 ten years after graduation with a strong 96.2% employment rate.

Where is Midwestern State University located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Wichita Falls, Texas, a mid-sized city environment that serves the regional student body well. With housing capacity for 1,536 students and 397 student-athletes competing in 12 NCAA Division II sports as the Mustangs, there are solid opportunities for campus involvement.

Does Midwestern State University have a diverse student population?

Women make up 63.44% of the student body, creating a female-majority campus. The racial composition includes 43.16% White students, 25.82% Hispanic students, and 15.51% Black students, reflecting the diverse demographics of North Texas.