Loras College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

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

Loras College Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Dubuque, IA Marshall, MN
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,319 6,930
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website loras.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Loras College Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $34,750 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $34,750 $8,840
Room & Board $9,230 $9,258
Avg Net Price $21,886 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $25,538 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Loras College Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,860 1,558
Admitted 1,671 1,427
Acceptance Rate 89.8% 91.6%
Enrolled % 17.1% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Loras College Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Loras College Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 59% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $279 $224

Diversity

Loras College Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 55% 38%
% Women 45% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 80%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Loras College Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 35% 74%
% Out-of-State 60% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Loras College based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 1,319 students)

Loras College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Loras College is 293.1% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($34,750.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 293.1% higher at Loras College than Southwest Minnesota State University ($34,750.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Loras College ($15,004 vs. $21,886)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 0.3% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($9,230 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Loras College than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 245.6% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($25,538 vs. $7,389)

Loras College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loras 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 Loras College .

  • The average SAT score at Loras College (1088) is 80 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming Loras College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Loras College 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 Loras College (89.8%)

Loras College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Loras 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 Loras College.

  • The graduation rate at Loras College is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (59% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Loras College earn on average $8,000 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $5,322 lower median federal student loan debt than Loras College graduates. ($21,678 vs. $27,000)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than Loras College graduates. ($224 vs. $279)
  • More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 66%)

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