Saint Benedict vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Saint Benedict based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 1,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Saint Benedict is located in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Saint Benedict 11:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Saint Benedict vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Benedict or Southwest Minnesota State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Saint Benedict ($15,547 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 12.1% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($11,028 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 438.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $45,395 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 438.1% higher at Saint Benedict than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $45,395 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict than at Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 361.7% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($40,048 vs. $8,674).

Saint Benedict vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Benedict or Southwest Minnesota State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Southwest Minnesota State University and Saint Benedict.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 120 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020).
• Incoming Saint Benedict students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Southwest Minnesota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 20/27; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Benedict - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Saint Benedict vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Saint Benedict vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Benedict and Southwest Minnesota State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $4,665 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($21,678 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($224 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.