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75.3%Acceptance
$34,188Tuition
592Students
58%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$52,199Earnings
Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Presbyterian Church (USA)

About Westminster College

Westminster College earned its place in history when Winston Churchill delivered his famous "Iron Curtain" speech on campus in 1946. The small liberal arts college enrolls just 592 students in rural Fulton, Missouri. This Presbyterian-affiliated school maintains the intimate feel typical of small Midwestern colleges, with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensuring close mentorship.

Students pay an average net price of $26,111 after financial aid, though families earning under $30,000 pay closer to $22,825. Graduates earn a median salary of $52,199 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $27,000 manageable with monthly payments around $286. The 68% loan repayment rate suggests most alumni handle their obligations successfully.

Westminster attracts a largely regional student body, with 80% coming from Missouri. The Blue Jays field 15 NCAA Division III teams with nearly half the student body participating in athletics as 293 students compete in varsity sports. The 4-year graduation rate of 61% reflects the college's hands-on approach, though the 63% retention rate suggests the small-town setting isn't for everyone. Students seeking a close-knit community with historical significance will find Westminster delivers both intimacy and legacy.

Academics & Faculty

Westminster College operates as a small liberal arts institution where the 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention in classroom discussions and research projects. The college offers broad-based education across humanities, sciences, and social sciences rather than specialized pre-professional tracks. Students graduate at a 61% four-year rate, reflecting the challenges many face at small private colleges with limited resources. The school's claim to fame remains historical rather than academic, Winston Churchill delivered his famous Iron Curtain speech here in 1946. With only 592 students, Westminster creates an intimate learning environment where professors know students by name, though this comes with fewer course options than larger universities.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Full-Time Faculty
65.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
60.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
57.5%
Retention Rate
63.4%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$52,199
Carnegie Classification
Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $47,260
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Bachelor $31,495

View all 84 programs →

Campus Life

Westminster College sits in rural Fulton, about 100 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis. The housing capacity of 756 beds serves most of the 592 students, creating a tight-knit residential campus where everyone knows each other. Missouri's four-season climate means you'll need both winter coats for snowy January days and shorts for humid August move-in.

The 10:1 student-faculty ratio shows up in daily life through small seminars where professors know your name by the second week. With 55.57% men and 44.43% women, the gender balance creates a comfortable social active. The Blue Jays field 15 varsity sports with 293 total athletes, making games a major weekend draw despite being Division III. Students often visit the National Churchill Museum on campus, housed in the same gymnasium where Churchill delivered his famous Iron Curtain speech. Weekend options beyond athletics are limited in small-town Fulton, so students create their own entertainment through campus organizations and informal gatherings. The 63.35% retention rate suggests many students adapt well to the close community atmosphere, though others find the rural setting too isolated.
Setting
Town-Distant
Housing Capacity
756 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Aggravated Assault 6 4 0 3
Rape 3 3 0 0
Stalking 3 2 0 0
Dating Violence 1 1 0 0
Domestic Violence 1 1 0 0
Fondling 1 1 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 0 0 0
Burglary 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
19°–37°F
July Avg
65°–87°F
Annual Precipitation
45.1"
Annual Snowfall
19.6"

Student Demographics

Westminster draws heavily from Missouri, with 80% of students coming from in-state. The student body is 56% male, reflecting strong interest in the college's business and athletics programs. Nearly 40% receive Pell Grants, showing the Presbyterian-affiliated school serves middle-class families seeking affordable liberal arts education. The college attracts students interested in small-town academics and close faculty relationships, with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. Most students are white and from Missouri communities, creating a tight-knit campus culture centered around the historic Fulton location.
Men
55.6%
Women
44.4%
White
80.1%
Black
6.6%
Hispanic
5.1%
Asian
0.5%
In-State Students
79.7%
Pell Grant Recipients
39.7%

Location

Westminster College sits in Fulton, Missouri, a small town of about 12,000 people located 100 miles west of St. Louis and 25 miles southeast of Columbia. The campus occupies 86 acres in this historic Missouri River valley community. Fulton serves as the county seat of Callaway County, surrounded by rolling farmland and small communities typical of central Missouri. The town maintains a classic college atmosphere, with Westminster's 592 students making up a noticeable portion of the local population. The setting offers a quiet, focused environment for academic work while remaining within driving distance of larger cities for internships and cultural activities. Students considering colleges in Missouri may also compare Westminster College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Fulton, Missouri 65251-1299

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$52,199
Median Earnings (5 years)
$49,909
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$37,100
Loan Repayment Rate
68.0%
Monthly Loan Payment
$286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Westminster College?

Westminster College accepts 75% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1010. The small liberal arts college in Missouri draws students who value intimate classroom settings with its 10:1 student-faculty ratio.

How much does Westminster College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $26,111 after aid, despite the sticker price of $47,430. About 40% of students receive Pell Grants, and the college provides institutional grants averaging $22,039 to help make education affordable.

What are the academic strengths at Westminster College?

Westminster maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio across its liberal arts curriculum with 592 total students. The college operates on a semester system and emphasizes close mentorship between professors and students in small classroom environments.

What do Westminster College graduates earn after college?

Westminster graduates earn a median salary of $52,199 ten years after graduation with typical monthly loan payments of $286. The college boasts a 94.5% employment rate, though only 58% of students graduate within six years.

Where is Westminster College located and what is campus life like?

Westminster sits in Fulton, Missouri, a small town setting with housing for 756 students among the 592 enrolled. The Blue Jays compete in 15 NCAA Division III sports with 293 total athletes, creating an active campus despite the small size.

What is Westminster College most famous for historically?

Westminster College hosted Winston Churchill's famous Iron Curtain speech in 1946, establishing its place in Cold War history. The Presbyterian-affiliated college has maintained its liberal arts mission since that pivotal moment when Churchill warned about Soviet expansion.