Hamline University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

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

Hamline University Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Saint Paul, MN Marshall, MN
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 2,638 6,930
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #400 #948
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hamline.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Hamline University Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $45,540 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $45,540 $8,840
Room & Board $11,213 $9,258
Avg Net Price $23,021 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $33,013 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Hamline University Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,840 1,558
Admitted 3,093 1,427
Acceptance Rate 80.5% 91.6%
Enrolled % 15.4% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 17/23
SAT Range 1030/1258 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

Hamline University Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Legal Professions (6%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Hamline University Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 68% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $55,100 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $250 $224

Diversity

Hamline University Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 34% 38%
% Women 66% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 80%
% Black 6% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Hamline University Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 78% 74%
% Out-of-State 22% 20%

Campus

Hamline 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 No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Hamline University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 2,638 students)

Hamline University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Hamline University is 415.2% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($45,540.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 415.2% higher at Hamline University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($45,540.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Hamline University ($15,004 vs. $23,021)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 21.1% lower than costs at Hamline University ($9,258 vs. $11,213)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Hamline University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamline University students is 346.8% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($33,013 vs. $7,389)

Hamline University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hamline 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 Hamline University .

  • The average SAT score at Hamline University (1127) is 119 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming Hamline University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Hamline University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Hamline University (80.5%)

Hamline University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Hamline 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 Hamline University.

  • The graduation rate at Hamline University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (68% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Hamline University earn on average $13,900 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($55,100 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $2,572 lower median federal student loan debt than Hamline University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $24,250)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Hamline University graduates. ($224 vs. $250)
  • More Hamline University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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