Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Peru State College

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

 Southwest Minnesota State University Peru State College
Location Marshall, MN Peru, NE
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Rural
Enrollment 6,930 1,799
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu peru.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Southwest Minnesota State University Peru State College
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $5,760
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $5,760
Room & Board $9,258 $9,600
Avg Net Price $15,004 $12,618
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $9,427
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

 Southwest Minnesota State University Peru State College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 -
Admitted 1,427 -
Acceptance Rate 91.6% Open
Enrolled % 22.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.21 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

 Southwest Minnesota State University Peru State College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (40%)
  • Education (38%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (2%)

Outcomes

 Southwest Minnesota State University Peru State College
Graduation Rate 39% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $38,000
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $20,975
Median Loan Payment $224 $216

Diversity

 Southwest Minnesota State University Peru State College
% Men 38% 39%
% Women 62% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 78%
% Black 5% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Southwest Minnesota State University Peru State College
% In-State 74% 56%
% Out-of-State 20% 40%

Campus

 Southwest Minnesota State University Peru State College
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

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Peru State College based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 1,799 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Peru State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or Peru State College?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 53.5% more expensive to attend than Peru State College for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $5,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.5% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than Peru State College ($8,840.00 vs. $5,760.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Peru State College than Southwest Minnesota State University ($12,618 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 3.7% lower than costs at Peru State College ($9,258 vs. $9,600)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Peru State College than Southwest Minnesota State University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Peru State College students is 27.6% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($9,427 vs. $7,389)

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

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Peru State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or Peru State College? 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 Peru State College and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than Peru State College (39% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn on average $3,200 more per year than Peru State College graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $38,000)
  • Peru State College students graduate with a $703 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($20,975 vs. $21,678)
  • Peru State College graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($216 vs. $224)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peru State College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 55%)

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