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

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

Southwest Minnesota State University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Location Marshall, MN River Falls, WI
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 6,930 5,188
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948 #793
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu uwrf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $6,428
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $14,421
Room & Board $9,258 $8,094
Avg Net Price $15,004 $13,427
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $4,489
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 86%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 4,091
Admitted 1,427 3,456
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 84.5%
Enrolled % 22.8% 29.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 19/25
SAT Range 935/1102
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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Agriculture (17%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

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

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
% Men 38% 35%
% Women 62% 65%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 89%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
% In-State 74% 47%
% Out-of-State 20% 53%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 5,188 students)

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?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 37.5% more expensive to attend than University of Wisconsin-River Falls for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $6,428.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.1% higher at University of Wisconsin-River Falls than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,421.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • 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 ($13,427 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 14.4% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,094 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than University of Wisconsin River Falls (94% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 64.6% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin River Falls ($7,389 vs. $4,489)

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

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin River Falls (1050) is 42 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • 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)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (84.5%)

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

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-River Falls is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (51% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin River Falls earn on average $2,900 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($44,100 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $1,047 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates. ($21,678 vs. $22,725)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans 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/