Metropolitan State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

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

Metropolitan State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Saint Paul, MN Marshall, MN
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,294 6,930
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website metrostate.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $8,571 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $8,571 $8,840
Room & Board $11,644 $9,258
Avg Net Price $19,347 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $8,322 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Metropolitan State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 612 1,558
Admitted 500 1,427
Acceptance Rate 81.7% 91.6%
Enrolled % 26.2% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA - 3.21
Typical High School Grades - B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 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 1, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 29% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,992 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $186 $224

Diversity

Metropolitan State University Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 42% 38%
% Women 58% 62%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 80%
% Black 20% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Metropolitan State University Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 99% 74%
% Out-of-State 1% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 6,294 students)

Metropolitan State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 3.1% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.1% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than Metropolitan State University ($8,840.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Metropolitan State University ($15,004 vs. $19,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 25.8% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($9,258 vs. $11,644)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 12.6% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,322 vs. $7,389)

Metropolitan State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Metropolitan State University (81.7%)

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

Which is better, Metropolitan State 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 Metropolitan State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than Metropolitan State University (39% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $8,000 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $41,200)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $3,686 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($17,992 vs. $21,678)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans 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/