Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Tarleton UNT A&M Commerce SFASU SHSU Minnesota State University-Mankato Texas Tech Texas State KU West Texas A & M University Texas Woman's University Winona State University| Southwest Minnesota State University | Midwestern State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Southwest Minnesota State University | MSU | ||
| Location | Marshall, MN | Wichita Falls, TX | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 6,930 | 5,784 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #948 | #817 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | smsu.edu | mwsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southwest Minnesota State University | MSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,840 | $5,877 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $8,840 | $7,827 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,258 | $10,046 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,004 | $11,361 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,389 | $10,643 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 94% | 100% |
Admission |
Southwest Minnesota State University | MSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,558 | 5,507 | ||
| Admitted | 1,427 | 5,090 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 91.6% | 92.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 22.8% | 15.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.21 | 3.2 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/23 | 16/22 | ||
| SAT Range | 935/1102 | 910/1100 | ||
| 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 | MSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Southwest Minnesota State University | MSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 39% | 34% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,200 | $44,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 66% | 56% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,678 | $22,299 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $224 | $230 |
Diversity |
Southwest Minnesota State University | MSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 38% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 62% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 80% | 52% | ||
| % Black | 5% | 14% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 17% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 5% | 9% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Southwest Minnesota State University | MSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 74% | 94% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 20% | 3% | ||
Campus |
Southwest Minnesota State University | MSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| 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 MSU based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 5,784 students)
Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or MSU?
- Southwest Minnesota State University is 50.4% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $5,877.00)
- Out of state tuition is 12.9% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than Midwestern State University ($8,840.00 vs. $7,827.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Midwestern State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($11,361 vs. $15,004)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 8.5% lower than costs at Midwestern State University ($9,258 vs. $10,046)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Midwestern State University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 44% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,643 vs. $7,389)
Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University or MSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MSU or Southwest Minnesota State University .
- The average SAT score at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008) is 6 points higher than at MSU (1002)
- Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at MSU (22)
- 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 (92.4%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (91.6%)
Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or MSU? 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 MSU and Southwest Minnesota State University.
- The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than Midwestern State University (39% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from Midwestern State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($44,300 vs. $41,200)
- Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $621 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($21,678 vs. $22,299)
- Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans 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/