Metropolitan State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, 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 Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University 15:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Metropolitan State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University ($15,547 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 30.5% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($11,028 vs. $15,864).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $521 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Metropolitan State University (about $521 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Metropolitan State University (94% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($8,674 vs. $8,538).

Metropolitan State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

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

• 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: Metropolitan State University - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027; Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Metropolitan State University vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University 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).

• Southwest Minnesota State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $3,686 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($17,992 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($186 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.