Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, 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 Gustavus Adolphus College based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 1,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus College 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($15,547 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 6.6% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($11,028 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 441.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $45,715 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 441.2% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $45,715 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 377.9% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($41,450 vs. $8,674).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus College 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027; Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (62.2%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus College 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $5,322 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($21,678 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($224 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.