Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Doane University

Should I go to Southwest Minnesota State University or Doane University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southwest Minnesota State University or Doane 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Doane University comparison
Southwest Minnesota State University Doane University College 3 College 4
Doane University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Southwest Minnesota State University Doane University
Location Marshall, MN Crete, NE
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 6,930 1,879
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu doane.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University Doane University
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $38,190
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $38,190
Room & Board $9,258 $10,900
Avg Net Price $15,004 $24,271
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $29,479
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University Doane University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 1,953
Admitted 1,427 1,481
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 75.8%
Enrolled % 22.8% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.6
Typical High School Grades B 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 considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University Doane University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Education (23%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University Doane University
Graduation Rate 39% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $224 $258

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University Doane University
% Men 38% 40%
% Women 62% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 82%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University Doane University
% In-State 74% 64%
% Out-of-State 20% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Doane University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 1,879 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Doane University Cost Comparison

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

  • Doane University is 332% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($38,190.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 332% higher at Doane University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($38,190.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Doane University ($15,004 vs. $24,271)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 17.7% lower than costs at Doane University ($9,258 vs. $10,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Doane University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Doane University students is 299% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($29,479 vs. $7,389)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Doane University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Doane University (1064) is 56 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming Doane University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Doane University students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Doane University (75.8%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Doane University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Doane University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (63% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Doane University earn on average $6,500 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $3,322 lower median federal student loan debt than Doane University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $25,000)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Doane University graduates. ($224 vs. $258)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Doane University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 66%)

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