Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Capella University

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

 Southwest Minnesota State University Capella University
Location Marshall, MN Minneapolis, MN
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 6,930 39,727
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website smsu.edu capella.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Southwest Minnesota State University Capella University
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $14,328
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $14,328
Room & Board $9,258 $6,270
Avg Net Price $15,004 $14,935
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $6,637
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 57%

Admission

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

Academics

 Southwest Minnesota State University Capella University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 35:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (62%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (32%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Health Professions (2%)
  • Psychology (1%)

Outcomes

 Southwest Minnesota State University Capella University
Graduation Rate 39% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $70,400
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 28%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $28,056
Median Loan Payment $224 $290

Diversity

 Southwest Minnesota State University Capella University
% Men 38% 17%
% Women 62% 83%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 45%
% Black 5% 26%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 16%

Students

 Southwest Minnesota State University Capella University
% In-State 74% 0%
% Out-of-State 20% 100%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Capella University is larger than than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (39,727 students vs. 6,930 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Capella University Cost Comparison

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

  • Capella University is 62.1% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($14,328.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.1% higher at Capella University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,328.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Capella University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,935 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Capella University are 47.7% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($6,270 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than Capella University (94% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 11.3% larger than aid received Capella University ($7,389 vs. $6,637)

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University or Capella University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Capella University or Southwest Minnesota State University .

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Capella University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or Capella 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 Capella University and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • Graduates from Capella University earn on average $29,200 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($70,400 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $6,378 lower median federal student loan debt than Capella University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $28,056)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $66 less per month on federal student loans than Capella University graduates. ($224 vs. $290)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Capella University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 28%)

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