Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (10,049 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 University of Wisconsin Eau Claire than Southwest Minnesota State University ($15,151 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 18.6% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,978 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $719 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.6% higher at UW-Eau Claire than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $8,867 more per year; $19,228.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (94% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 53.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($8,674 vs. $5,663).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Southwest Minnesota State University.

• Incoming UW-Eau Claire students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027; UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• UW-Eau Claire has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University and UW-Eau Claire? 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $1,572 lower median loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($21,678 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($224 vs. $240).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.