Southwest Minnesota State University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Deciding between Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Wisconsin River Falls? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Wisconsin River Falls

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MN
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI
  • Setting
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Rural Fringe
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 8,214
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,243
  • Type
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Public 4 Year
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Southwest Minnesota State University #897
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls #768
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Southwest Minnesota State University -
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls -
  • Status
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Non-profit
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Non-profit
  • Website
  • Southwest Minnesota State University smsu.edu
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls uwrf.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Southwest Minnesota State University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University $10,361
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $9,008
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University $10,361
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $17,470
  • Room & Board
  • Southwest Minnesota State University $11,028
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $7,982
  • Average Net Price
  • Southwest Minnesota State University $15,547
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $14,769
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Southwest Minnesota State University $8,674
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $4,176
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 94%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Calculate
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Calculate
  • Applied
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 2,811
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,519
  • Admitted
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 1,748
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 4,510
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 62.2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 22.2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 25.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 1020
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Typical ACT score
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 20
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 3.21
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Southwest Minnesota State University B+
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Extremely Easy
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Low
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • ACT Range
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Test optional
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Southwest Minnesota State University
    • Business (39%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Communication (4%)
    • Biology (4%)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
    • Agriculture (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 39%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University $41,200
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $44,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 66%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Southwest Minnesota State University $21,678
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $22,725
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Southwest Minnesota State University $224
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $234

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 38%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 37%
  • % Women
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 62%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Low
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Southwest Minnesota State University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • % White
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 80%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 89%
  • % Asian
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Black
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 5%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 4%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Native American
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 3%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % International
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 5%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 71%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 47%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Southwest Minnesota State University 22%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 52%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Southwest Minnesota State University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Meal Plan
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Learn More
  • Southwest Minnesota State University Details
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Details

Comparable Facts

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

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 River Falls than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,769 vs. $15,547).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 27.6% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($7,982 vs. $11,028).
  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 15% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $1,353 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $9,008.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 68.6% higher at University of Wisconsin-River Falls than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $7,109 more per year; $17,470.00 vs. $10,361.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (94% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 107.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($8,674 vs. $4,176).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • Incoming University of Wisconsin-River Falls 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.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 River Falls's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $1,047 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates ($21,678 vs. $22,725).
  • Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates ($224 vs. $234).
  • More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.