Academy College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Should I go to Academy College or Southwest Minnesota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Academy College or Southwest Minnesota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Academy College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University comparison
Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Minneapolis, MN Marshall, MN
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 105 6,930
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit Non-profit
Website academycollege.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $17,520 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $17,520 $8,840
Room & Board $8,539 $9,258
Avg Net Price $28,968 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $6,873 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 79% 94%

Admission

 Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 1,558
Admitted - 1,427
Acceptance Rate Open 91.6%
Enrolled % Open 22.8%
Avg High School GPA - 3.21
Typical High School Grades - B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

 Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (20%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (18%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 50% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,400 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 38% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,884 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $288 $224

Diversity

 Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 93% 38%
% Women 7% 62%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 47% 80%
% Black 17% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 14% 2%

Students

 Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 67% 74%
% Out-of-State 33% 20%

Campus

 Academy College Southwest Minnesota State University
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Academy College based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 105 students)

Academy College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Academy College or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • Academy College is 98.2% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($17,520.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 98.2% higher at Academy College than Southwest Minnesota State University ($17,520.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Academy College ($15,004 vs. $28,968)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Academy College are 8.4% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,539 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than Academy College (94% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 7.5% larger than aid received Academy College ($7,389 vs. $6,873)

Which college is harder to get into, Academy College or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or Academy College .

Academy College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Academy College or Southwest Minnesota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southwest Minnesota State University and Academy College.

  • The graduation rate at Academy College is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (50% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn on average $1,800 more per year than Academy College graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $39,400)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $6,206 lower median federal student loan debt than Academy College graduates. ($21,678 vs. $27,884)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than Academy College graduates. ($224 vs. $288)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Academy College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/