St. Cloud State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Cloud State University is larger than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (10,732 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Saint Cloud 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: Saint Cloud State University 18:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

St. Cloud State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Cloud 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 Saint Cloud State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,735 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 3.9% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,596 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Cloud State University (about $116 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $10,245.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Saint Cloud State University (about $116 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $10,245.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Saint Cloud State University (94% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 23.3% larger than aid received by Saint Cloud State University students ($8,674 vs. $7,036).

St. Cloud State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Cloud State University (1140) is 120 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020).
• Incoming St. Cloud State University 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 students: Saint Cloud State University 1025/1260; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Cloud State University 17/25; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Cloud State University - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027; Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Cloud State University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at St. Cloud State University vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

St. Cloud State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Cloud 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).

• Saint Cloud State University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Saint Cloud State University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $822 lower median loan debt than St. Cloud State University graduates ($21,678 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Cloud State University graduates ($224 vs. $232).
• More St. Cloud State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.