
Fulton, MOprivate nonprofitwcmo.edu
Admit rate has ranged 75%–97% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Westminster College in Fulton, MO, is a small liberal arts school with a surprisingly punchy academic profile—think intimate 11:1 student-faculty ratios and a knack for outperforming national averages in grad school placements. While its acceptance rate hovers around a forgiving 79-93%, don’t mistake accessibility for complacency: Westminster’s graduation rates and post-grad earnings consistently beat national benchmarks, backed by robust financial aid that covers most students.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Westminster College is decidedly not a gatekeeper—Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. range from 79% to 93%, depending on the source, with ACT scores for admitted students typically falling between 20-27 (or SAT scores of 1040-1260). The school leans into accessibility, with some sources calling it 'nearly open admissions.' But don’t confuse that with low standards: Westminster boasts that its students outperform national averages by 200% in law/med school acceptance rates and research opportunities, suggesting it’s selectively nurturing talent rather than chasing exclusivity.
With 80+ majors, minors, and pre-professional programs, Westminster packs a curricular punch for its size. The most popular majors cluster in business, biological sciences, and health professions, but the school’s real selling point is its and hands-on learning ethos. The business school offers niche concentrations like Sustainability (a 'Green MBA') and Health Care Management, while STEM students benefit from undergrad research opportunities that feed into those standout grad school placements.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Life at Westminster is small but active, with 81% of students living on campus and 40+ clubs ranging from Ski and Snowboard to Neuroscience. The vibe leans collaborative—think 'intentional engagement' (their words) with a mix of athletics (DIII sports), volunteerism, and quirky traditions. It’s the kind of place where you’ll bond over late-night diner runs in Fulton (population: 12,000) or road trips to St. Louis, 90 minutes away.
Here’s where Westminster overdelivers: its 55-67% six-year graduation rate tops the national average (59%), and alumni median earnings hit $43,938 within six years—respectable for a liberal arts school. The college claims to outperform 70% of U.S. institutions in ROI, backed by strong professional school placements (200% above average for law/med schools). Retention is solid too, with 71% of first-years returning.
Westminster’s financial aid is aggressive: 81% of first-years get Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., averaging $35,975, and merit scholarships can cover full tuition. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests many pay around $21,089 after aid—a steal compared to the sticker price. The school frames this as part of its 'best value' pitch, with aid packages often including grants over loans.
Westminster is a small-school dark horse—unpretentious yet academically scrappy. Its superpower is taking mid-range students and turbocharging their outcomes (see: those 200%-above-average grad school stats). The combo of intimate classes, undergrad research, and serious financial aid makes it a smart bet for students who’d drown at a mega-university but still want ROI. Plus, where else can you get a Green MBA in rural Missouri?