Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 5,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or MSU? 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 Midwestern State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($11,215 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 0.9% lower than at Midwestern State University ($11,028 vs. $11,124).
• Midwestern State University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $219 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at MSU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $2,169 more per year; $12,530.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Midwestern State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 27.2% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($11,037 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 10 points higher than at MSU (1010).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; MSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 12.9% at MSU.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southwest Minnesota State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $621 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,678 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($224 vs. $230).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 56%)

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.