Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Grace University

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

Southwest Minnesota State University Grace University
Location Marshall, MN Omaha, NE
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 6,930 298
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu graceuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University Grace University
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $22,120
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $22,120
Room & Board $9,258 $7,324
Avg Net Price $15,004 $19,798
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $13,079
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University Grace University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 159
Admitted 1,427 73
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 45.9%
Enrolled % 22.8% 26%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.08
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 18/21
SAT Range 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University Grace University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 0:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (67%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University Grace University
Graduation Rate 39% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $33,300
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $17,750
Median Loan Payment $224 $183

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University Grace University
% Men 38% 0%
% Women 62% 0%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 70%
% Black 5% 13%
% Hispanic 4% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 2%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University Grace University
% In-State 74% -
% Out-of-State 20% -

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Grace University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 298 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Grace University Cost Comparison

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

  • Grace University is 150.2% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($22,120.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 150.2% higher at Grace University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($22,120.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Grace University ($15,004 vs. $19,798)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grace University are 26.4% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($7,324 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grace University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grace University students is 77% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($13,079 vs. $7,389)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Grace University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008) is 5 points higher than at Grace University (1003)
  • Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Grace University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Grace University (3.08)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Grace University (45.9%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Grace University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than Grace University (39% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn on average $7,900 more per year than Grace University graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $33,300)
  • Grace University students graduate with a $3,928 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($17,750 vs. $21,678)
  • Grace University graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($183 vs. $224)
  • More Grace University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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