Southwest Minnesota State University vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or NMSU? 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 New Mexico State University Main Campus than Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,719 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 10.2% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($11,028 vs. $12,282).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 26.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $2,178 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.3% higher at NMSU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $14,946 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Southwest Minnesota State University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 66.2% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($14,420 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 30 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at NMSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; NMSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• NMSU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $4,560 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($17,118 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($176 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 44%)

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.