Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than MWSU based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 3,716 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or MWSU? 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 Missouri Western State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($13,126 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 10.4% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($11,028 vs. $12,311).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $55 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.4% higher at MWSU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $10,505 more per year; $20,866.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Western State University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Western State University students is 6.6% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($9,245 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

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

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; MWSU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MWSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University and MWSU? 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 Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $140 lower median loan debt than MWSU graduates ($21,678 vs. $21,818).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MWSU graduates ($224 vs. $225).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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.