Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
University of Missouri-Kansas City Northern Illinois WSU Minnesota State University-Mankato Truman State Missouri State University-Springfield Central KU University of Missouri-Columbia Arkansas State University UALR Winona State University| Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest Missouri State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest | ||
| Location | Marshall, MN | Maryville, MO | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 6,930 | 8,505 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #948 | #914 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | smsu.edu | nwmissouri.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,840 | $6,015 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $8,840 | $12,082 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,258 | $10,428 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,004 | $14,197 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,389 | $8,387 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 94% | 95% |
Admission |
Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,558 | 6,877 | ||
| Admitted | 1,427 | 5,884 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 91.6% | 85.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 22.8% | 18.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.21 | 3.45 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/23 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 935/1102 | 938/1158 | ||
| 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, 2025 |
Academics |
Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest | ||
| Graduation Rate | 39% | 49% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,200 | $41,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 66% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,678 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $224 | $258 |
Diversity |
Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 38% | 38% | ||
| % Women | 62% | 62% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 80% | 79% | ||
| % Black | 5% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 5% | 6% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 74% | 65% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 20% | 33% | ||
Campus |
Southwest Minnesota State University | Northwest | ||
| 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
- Northwest Missouri State University is larger than than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 6,930 students)
Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Northwest Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or Northwest?
- Southwest Minnesota State University is 47% more expensive to attend than Northwest for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $6,015.00)
- Out of state tuition is 36.7% higher at Northwest than Southwest Minnesota State University ($12,082.00 vs. $8,840.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest Missouri State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,197 vs. $15,004)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 12.6% lower than costs at Northwest Missouri State University ($9,258 vs. $10,428)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than Southwest Minnesota State University (95% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 13.5% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,387 vs. $7,389)
Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Northwest Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University or Northwest? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northwest or Southwest Minnesota State University .
- The average SAT score at Northwest Missouri State University (1047) is 39 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
- Incoming Northwest students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
- Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
- Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Northwest (85.6%)
Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or Northwest? 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 Northwest and Southwest Minnesota State University.
- The graduation rate at Northwest is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (49% vs. 39%)
- Graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University and Northwest have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($41,200 vs. $41,200)
- Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $3,322 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwest graduates. ($21,678 vs. $25,000)
- Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Northwest graduates. ($224 vs. $258)
- More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/