Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Colorado Tech

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

 Southwest Minnesota State University Colorado Tech
Location Marshall, MN Sioux Falls, SD
Setting Rural Fringe Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,930 28
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website smsu.edu coloradotech.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Southwest Minnesota State University Colorado Tech
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $10,440
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $10,440
Room & Board $9,258 $8,379
Avg Net Price $15,004 -
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 0%

Admission

 Southwest Minnesota State University Colorado Tech
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 -
Admitted 1,427 -
Acceptance Rate 91.6% Open
Enrolled % 22.8% Open
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) Not applicable
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

 Southwest Minnesota State University Colorado Tech
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 0:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (31%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
  • Legal Professions (3%)

Outcomes

 Southwest Minnesota State University Colorado Tech
Graduation Rate 39% 18%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $58,600
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $33,706
Median Loan Payment $224 $348

Diversity

 Southwest Minnesota State University Colorado Tech
% Men 38% 0%
% Women 62% 0%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 78%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 11%

Students

 Southwest Minnesota State University Colorado Tech
% In-State 74% -
% Out-of-State 20% -

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Colorado Tech based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 28 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Colorado Tech Cost Comparison

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

  • Colorado Technical University Sioux Falls is 18.1% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($10,440.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.1% higher at Colorado Tech than Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,440.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Technical University Sioux Falls are 10.5% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,379 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than Colorado Technical University Sioux Falls (94% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is ?% larger than aid received Colorado Technical University Sioux Falls ($7,389 vs. $0)

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

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Colorado Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or Colorado Tech? 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 Colorado Tech and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than Colorado Technical University Sioux Falls (39% vs. 18%)
  • Graduates from Colorado Technical University Sioux Falls earn on average $17,400 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($58,600 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $12,028 lower median federal student loan debt than Colorado Tech graduates. ($21,678 vs. $33,706)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $124 less per month on federal student loans than Colorado Tech graduates. ($224 vs. $348)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Tech students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 27%)

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