Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Mankato in Mankato, MN with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (15,271 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Mankato is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Minnesota State University Mankato is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota State University-Mankato 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato ($15,547 vs. $18,861).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 11.2% lower than at Minnesota State University Mankato ($11,028 vs. $12,420).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota State University-Mankato (about $789 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $9,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.8% higher at Minnesota State University-Mankato than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $8,581 more per year; $18,942.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Minnesota State University Mankato (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 62.9% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students ($8,674 vs. $5,325).

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota State University-Mankato 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato.

• Incoming Minnesota State University-Mankato students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southwest Minnesota 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 students: Minnesota State University Mankato 19/24; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota State University-Mankato students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• Minnesota State University-Mankato has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota State University-Mankato 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).

• Minnesota State University Mankato's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $897 lower median loan debt than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates ($21,678 vs. $22,575).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates ($224 vs. $233).
• More Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.