Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or UNK? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University than UNK ($15,547 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 9.6% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($11,028 vs. $12,198).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 19.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $1,685 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.5% higher at UNK than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $4,923 more per year; $15,284.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 12.7% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($9,776 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UNK Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is the same as at UNK (1020).
• Incoming UNK students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Southwest Minnesota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027; UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNK students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $428 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($21,250 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($219 vs. $224).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.