Bemidji State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Should I go to Bemidji State University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bemidji State University 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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Bemidji State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University comparison
Bemidji State University Southwest Minnesota State University College 3 College 4
Bemidji State University
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Overview

Bemidji State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Bemidji, MN Marshall, MN
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 3,926 7,324
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #762 #910
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bemidjistate.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bemidji State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $8,994 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $8,994 $8,840
Room & Board $10,041 $10,666
Avg Net Price $16,349 $14,839
Avg Grant Aid $7,052 $7,455
% Receiving Grant Aid 84% 91%

Admission

Bemidji State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,860 2,630
Admitted 2,021 1,813
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 68.9%
Enrolled % 23.8% 20.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.21
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/24 17/23
SAT Range 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Bemidji State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Bemidji State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 42% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,000 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,304 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $220 $224

Diversity

Bemidji State University Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 3% 2%
% Women 5% 4%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 80%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Bemidji State University Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 85% 74%
% Out-of-State 13% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Bemidji State University based on total student enrollment (7,324 students vs. 3,926 students)

Bemidji State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Bemidji State University is 1.7% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($8,994.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.7% higher at Bemidji State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,994.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Bemidji State University ($14,839 vs. $16,349)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bemidji State University are 6.2% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,041 vs. $10,666)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than Bemidji State University (91% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 5.7% larger than aid received Bemidji State University ($7,455 vs. $7,052)

Bemidji State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bemidji State University 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 Bemidji State University .

  • The average SAT score at Bemidji State University (1010) is 2 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming Bemidji State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Bemidji State University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Bemidji State University has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (68.9%)

Bemidji State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bemidji State University 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 Bemidji State University.

  • The graduation rate at Bemidji State University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (42% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Bemidji State University earn on average $1,800 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($43,000 vs. $41,200)
  • Bemidji State University students graduate with a $374 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($21,304 vs. $21,678)
  • Bemidji State University graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($220 vs. $224)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bemidji State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

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