Southwest Minnesota State University vs. North Carolina Central University

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

Southwest Minnesota State University North Carolina Central University
Location Marshall, MN Durham, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 7,324 7,965
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #910 #982
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu nccu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University North Carolina Central University
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $3,728
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $16,764
Room & Board $10,666 $14,760
Avg Net Price $14,839 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $7,455 $12,449
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 90%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University North Carolina Central University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,630 14,192
Admitted 1,813 12,842
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 90.5%
Enrolled % 20.3% 11.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.27
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 17/18
SAT Range 935/1102 980/1100
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University North Carolina Central University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University North Carolina Central University
Graduation Rate 39% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $35,200
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $224 $320

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University North Carolina Central University
% Men 2% 7%
% Women 4% 18%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 80% 6%
% Black 5% 81%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University North Carolina Central University
% In-State 74% 75%
% Out-of-State 20% 24%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (7,965 students vs. 7,324 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or North Carolina Central University?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 137.1% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.6% higher at North Carolina Central University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($16,764.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($13,884 vs. $14,839)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 38.4% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($10,666 vs. $14,760)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than North Carolina Central University (91% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 67% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($12,449 vs. $7,455)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008) is 129 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (68.9%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or North Carolina Central 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 North Carolina Central University and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than North Carolina Central University (39% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn on average $6,000 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $35,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $9,322 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $31,000)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $96 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($224 vs. $320)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 23%)

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