Midwestern State University – Tuition, Programs & Admissions

Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) is a public liberal arts university in Wichita Falls, Texas — part of the Texas Tech University System — with 5,300+ students, a 93% acceptance rate, and in-state tuition of just $9,950/year.

It’s the only university in Texas that’s a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), and it awards over $2 million in automatic merit scholarships each year. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Midwestern State University?

Founded in 1922 as Wichita Falls Junior College, Midwestern State University has evolved from a two-year community institution into a comprehensive public university offering degrees from associate through doctoral levels. Located on a 255-acre campus near Sikes Lakes in Wichita Falls — a mid-sized city of around 100,000 people in North Texas — MSU Texas sits about 130 miles northwest of Dallas and Fort Worth.

MSU Texas joined the Texas Tech University System, giving it access to system-wide resources, research infrastructure, and employer networks that independent regional universities typically cannot access. That affiliation strengthens MSU’s position without changing its fundamental identity as a student-centered liberal arts institution.

What genuinely sets MSU apart from comparable Texas public universities is its COPLAC membership. The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges is a national consortium of selective public universities committed to rigorous liberal arts education — think small class sizes, faculty-mentored undergraduate research, and a curriculum that builds critical thinking as a core skill, not an add-on. MSU is the only Texas public university with this designation, making it distinctive in a state with dozens of public university options.

MSU Texas is fully accredited by the SACSCOC, with program-level accreditations from AACSB (business), ABET (engineering), ACEN (nursing), and NCATE (education), among others.

MSU Texas at a Glance — Key Facts

Programs and Colleges at MSU Texas

MSU Texas offers 49 undergraduate programs and 27 graduate programs across six colleges, with strengths in health sciences, business, engineering, and the liberal arts. The catalog spans associate through doctoral levels and is deliberately kept focused — MSU prioritizes depth over breadth, which is consistent with its COPLAC identity.

The six colleges include:

1. Robert D. and Carol Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services
2. Dillard College of Business Administration (AACSB-accredited)
3. Gordon T. and Ellen West College of Education
4. Prothro-Yeager College of Humanities and Social Sciences
5. McCoy College of Science, Mathematics,s and Engineering
6. Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts

Health Sciences — MSU’s Strongest Programs

The Gunn College of Health Sciences houses MSU’s most in-demand programs: Nursing (BSN), Respiratory Care, Clinical Laboratory Science, Dental Hygiene, Radiologic Sciences, and Health Services Administration. The nursing program is ACEN-accredited, and MSU’s health science graduates are in consistent demand in the North Texas and Oklahoma healthcare markets — Wichita Falls sits near the Texas-Oklahoma border, giving graduates access to two states’ worth of healthcare employment.

The Respiratory Care program is worth highlighting specifically — it’s one of the few accredited respiratory care programs in North Texas and produces graduates who are immediately employable in a field that consistently runs short of qualified practitioners.

Business — AACSB Accredited

The Dillard College of Business carries the AACSB accreditation — placing it in the top 6% of business schools worldwide. Undergraduate options include Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and Management. The MBA program is offered both in-person and online, with specializations in Finance, International Business, Marketing, Business Intelligence and Analytics, and Supply Chain Management. Graduate business applicants need a GMAT or GRE score for admission.

If you’re comparing MSU’s business program with others in the region, it stacks up well against larger institutions. AACSB accreditation at a university with $9,950/year in-state tuition is a combination that’s hard to find elsewhere in Texas. For a broader comparison, you might also look at Texas Tech University, whose Rawls College of Business is also AACSB-accredited and part of the same Texas Tech University System.

Engineering and Computer Science

The McCoy College of Science, Mathematics, cs and Engineering offers ABET-accredited programs in Mechanical Engineering, along with Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. Engineering students benefit from small cohort sizes — laboratory courses that would have 40+ students at a large public university run with a fraction of that number at MSU, giving students direct access to equipment and faculty supervision from the first semester.

Liberal Arts and the COPLAC Advantage

MSU’s COPLAC membership shapes the entire undergraduate experience, not just the humanities programs. Every MSU undergraduate completes a core curriculum in English, history, mathematics, science, and foreign language — a foundation that produces graduates with broader analytical skills than vocational programs typically develop.

The Redwine Honors Program provides an additional layer of challenge, with an academic scholarship component for qualifying students. The EURECA program (Experiential Undergraduate Research, Creative, and Artistic) gives undergraduates access to faculty-mentored research — something typically reserved for graduate students at larger universities.

MSU Texas Tuition and Cost of Attendance

MSU Texas is one of the most affordable universities in the Texas Tech University System and among the lowest-cost public universities in North Texas. The tuition structure is straightforward — no complex in-state vs out-of-state premium for most students.

Undergraduate Tuition

Graduate Tuition

Cost of Living in Wichita Falls

Wichita Falls is one of the most affordable mid-sized cities in Texas. On-campus housing ranges from approximately $7,500–$12,000/year, depending on the residence hall and meal plan. Off-campus apartments near MSU typically run $650–$900/month. The city’s public transportation system (Falls Ride) covers 30+ routes with fares starting at $1.25/ride or $30/month — practical for students without a car.

Financial Aid Overview

84% of MSU undergraduates receive grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $8,874. The average net price for federal loan recipients is $10,464/year — among the lowest at any public university in Texas. For Texas resident students who qualify for need-based aid, the actual cost of attendance at MSU can be remarkably low.

MSU Texas Scholarships — Over $2 Million Awarded Annually

Automatic Merit Scholarships — No Separate Application

MSU Texas offers over $2 million in general academic merit scholarships each year to incoming freshmen and transfer students — and the process is automatic. Students admitted by the priority deadline are automatically considered based on their academic record. No separate scholarship application is needed for these general merit awards.

Priority deadlines for automatic scholarship consideration:

• Fall semester: May 1
• Spring semester: November 1

Scholarship levels are tiered based on GPA, class rank, and test scores (if submitted). Transfer students with Phi Theta Kappa honor society membership receive additional stackable awards on top of general merit scholarships.

Mustangs Guarantee Program — Free Tuition for Eligible Texas Residents

The Mustangs Guarantee Program is MSU’s last-dollar scholarship covering 100% of remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other grants, scholarships, and benefits are applied. Eligibility requirements:

• New student to MSU Texas (no prior bachelor’s degree).
• Texas resident.
• Pell Grant eligible with family Adjusted Gross Income of $85,000 or less.
• Full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours each fall and spring).
• Must earn 30 credit hours per academic year to remain in the program.

Note: The Mustangs Guarantee does not cover room, board, books, or other personal expenses. International students are not eligible,e as Pell Grant eligibility is required.

Priddy Foundation Scholars Program — First-Generation Students

The Priddy Foundation Scholars Program provides dedicated scholarship support for first-generation college students from families with an AGI of $50,000 to $125,000. Benefits go beyond financial aid — scholars receive individual advising meetings, weekly workshops on study skills, money management, and career planning, and are placed in a scholar community in Legacy Hall. Application deadline: April 1 for the following fall.

Regents and ISD Scholarships

Incoming freshmen admitted by the priority deadline are also automatically considered for Regents Scholarships and Independent School District (ISD) scholarships, which are awarded based on academic achievement and, in some cases, the high school attended.

FAFSA/TASFA Priority Deadline — March 15

To maximize all financial aid, id including federal grants, state grants, and institutional scholarships, submit FAFSA (U.S. citizens and eligible residents) or TASFA (Texas residents who are not U.S. citizens or eligible permanent residents) by March 15 each year.

Athletic Scholarships

MSU Texas competes at the NCAA Division II level in the Lone Star Conference, and athletic scholarships are available across all varsity sports. Students interested in competing should contact the relevant head coach directly and then coordinate with the Financial Aid Office.

MSU Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

MSU Texas has an acceptance rate of approximately 93% — one of the most accessible public universities in North Texas. The university offers two pathways to admission: a Test/Rank Pathway and a Test-Optional Pathway, giving students flexibility based on their high school experience.

Undergraduate Requirements

• Apply at msutexas.edu/admissions/apply.php
• Application fee: $50 ($100 for international students — includes $50 transcript evaluation fee)
• High school diploma from a TEA or regionally accredited school
• Test-optional pathway available — SAT/ACT not required, but used for scholarship tiering if submitted
• English proficiency for international students: TOEFL iBT 61+, IELTS 6.0+, Duolingo 95+, or PTE 44+
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 recommended for undergraduate admission

Graduate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
• GMAT or GRE required for MBA applicants; other programs vary
• Letters of recommendation (typically 2–3, varies by program)
• Statement of purpose
• Resume or CV
• TOEFL iBT 85+, IELTS 6.5+, or Duolingo 110+ for international applicants

Application Deadlines

For scholarship consideration, the priority deadlines matter most — apply by March 1 for fall admission to ensure automatic scholarship review.

Campus Life at MSU Texas

A Campus Built Around Student Experience

MSU’s 255-acre campus is built around Sikes Lakes — a genuine scenic asset that separates the university from the generic look of most urban campuses. The campus includes 70 buildings, multiple playing fields, and outdoor recreational facilities. The Clark Student Center is the social hub, featuring cafes, lounges, game rooms, and meeting spaces for the university’s 100+ student organizations.

Housing and Living-Learning Communities

On-campus housing at MSU includes traditional residence halls and themed Living-Learning Communities — including a Global Community specifically designed for international students and students interested in cross-cultural exchange. There’s also a first-year living community in Legacy Hall that houses Priddy Scholars. The Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU is located directly on campus, focusing on American works on paper — an unusual cultural amenity for a regional university.

Student Organizations and Campus Life

MSU has over 100 student organizations, 14 nationally recognized fraternities and sororities, intramural sports, and more than 200 enrichment events per year. The university’s Study Abroad program sends students to destinations including the West Indies and France. International students on campus are served by a dedicated International Student Services office that provides visa advising, cultural orientation, and academic support.

NCAA Division II Athletics

The Mustangs compete at the NCAA Division II level in the Lone Star Conference — one of the most competitive D2 conferences in the country. MSU fields teams in football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, cross country, track and field, and golf. The university’s mascot, the Mustang, reflects the spirit of independent persistence that characterizes the institution — and the student section at home football and basketball games is among the most engaged in the conference.

Location: Wichita Falls and North Texas

Wichita Falls has about 100,000 residents and sits near the Texas-Oklahoma border, approximately 130 miles from Dallas-Fort Worth. The city offers real cultural amenities — the Wichita Falls Museum of Art, the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, the Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre — alongside the practical affordability of a mid-sized city. For students who want urban access, DFW is a manageable drive on weekends. Sheppard Air Force Base, located just outside Wichita Falls, is a major employer and makes MSU a practical choice for military-affiliated students and families.

Career Outcomes

The median salary for MSU Texas graduates six years after enrollment is $46,63,7, according to US News data. Health sciences, engineering, and business graduates typically earn above this figure; education and humanities graduates generally earn below it. The university’s Career Services office provides resume workshops, internship matching, and employer networking events throughout the year.

MSU’s alumni association — founded in 1926 — has more than 4,000 members from over 55 countries, with notable alumni at institutions including Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. For international students on F-1 visas, MSU supports Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation, with up to 36 months for STEM graduates.

How MSU Compares to Other Texas Universities

Choosing the right Texas university depends on your priorities. Here’s how MSU fits into the broader landscape:

• For a larger Texas Tech System university with more programs and an R1 research designation, see our guide to Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
• For a private faith-based option in the same West Texas region with automatic international scholarships, see Lubbock Christian University.
• For a larger public university in the DFW area with strong engineering and nursing programs, Tarleton State University (also Texas A&M System) is worth comparing.
• For an affordable private university in Fort Worth with an automatic $21,000 international scholarship, see Texas Wesleyan University.

Is MSU Texas Right for You?

Midwestern State University is a strong fit if you:

• Want genuinely affordable public university tuition in Texas with automatic merit scholarship consideration
• Are pursuing health sciences (especially nursing or respiratory care), business, engineering, or education
• Value a liberal arts core curriculum and the COPLAC commitment to undergraduate research and critical thinking
• Want a campus community of manageable size — not a large anonymous university, but not a tiny college either
• Are a first-generation student who could qualify for the Priddy Foundation Scholars Program
• Are you a Texas resident from a lower-income household who qualifies for the Mustangs Guarantee free tuition program

MSU may not be the best fit if you need access to a major metro job market daily, want a large research university environment, or are looking for highly specialized doctoral programs. The 4-year graduation rate (25%) is low — primarily because many MSU students work part-time or stop out temporarily — but for students who attend continuously, outcomes are strong.

How to Apply to Midwestern State University

1. Apply at msutexas.edu/admissions/apply.php using the Mustang Advantage Application (required for international and re-enrolling students)
2. Pay the $50 application fee ($100 for international students, which includes transcript evaluation)
3. Submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended
4. Submit English proficiency scores: TOEFL iBT 61+, IELTS 6.0+, Duolingo 95+, or PTE 44+
5. Apply by the priority deadline (March 1 for fall, November 1 for spring) for automatic merit scholarship consideration
6. File FAFSA or TASFA by March 15 to maximize need-based aid, including the Mustangs Guarantee
7. Apply for Priddy Scholars by April 1 if you are a first-generation student with a qualifying family income
8. Receive your I-20 from International Student Services once admitted, and begin your F-1 visa application

Final Thoughts

Midwestern State University delivers something rare in Texas public higher education: genuinely affordable tuition, AACSB and ABET program accreditations, a liberal arts core that builds transferable skills, and a campus community small enough that students are known by name. For students who want quality without the price tag of a large flagship university — particularly in health sciences, business, or engineering — MSU Texas is worth a serious look.

For the most current information on tuition, scholarships, and applications, visit msutexas.edu directly.

Comparing MSU Texas with other North Texas universities? Drop your questions in the comments below.