Midwestern State University
Midwestern State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Midwestern State University at a Glance
Midwestern State University is a public liberal arts university in Wichita Falls, Texas. As of fall 2025, MSU Texas enrolled 5,287 students. It is the state's only public institution focused on the liberal arts.
1922
104 years old
$100M
$100 million ( FY 2025) (MSU only) $3.35 billion (FY2025) (system-wide)
5,287
4,379 undergrad · 908 grad
255 acres
Identity
Is Midwestern State University Worth It?
Midwestern State University offers moderate value at $11,656/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,747, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Midwestern State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #34 of 150 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #34 | Midwestern State University | 50 | $11,656 | $55,747 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Midwestern State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in TX.
Best Programs at Midwestern State University
The highest-earning program at Midwestern State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $28,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Midwestern State University earns $65,200, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $28,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $22,100 in median debt vs. $21,365 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,656/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,200 | $65,200 | $22,100 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $57,300 | $57,300 | $23,909 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $56,100 | $56,100 | $20,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $51,600 | $51,600 | $25,603 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,500 | $41,500 | $26,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $39,800 | $39,800 | $25,250 |
| Marketing | $35,400 | $35,400 | $25,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $35,000 | $35,000 | $22,868 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $34,900 | $34,900 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,600 | $34,600 | $25,930 |
| Social Work | $33,800 | $33,800 | $26,513 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,900 | $32,900 | $21,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $29,800 | $29,800 | $22,250 |
| Sociology | $28,700 | $28,700 | $24,686 |
| Psychology, General | $28,500 | $28,500 | $21,365 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Wichita Falls, TX
- Student Body
- 4,087 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,656
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,747
- Median Student Debt
- $21,030