Southwest Minnesota State University vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Washington University is larger than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or EWU? 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 Eastern Washington University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,767 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 29.2% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($11,028 vs. $15,574).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 20.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $1,775 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.5% higher at EWU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $15,598 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Eastern Washington University (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Washington University students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($10,001 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. EWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University or EWU? 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 EWU and Southwest Minnesota State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 30 points higher than at EWU (990).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at EWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; Eastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027; EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman EWU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 22.7% at EWU.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University and EWU? 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).

• Eastern Washington University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $860 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($20,818 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($215 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EWU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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.