Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Superior

Comparable Facts

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

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than UW-Superior based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 2,833 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin Superior is in Superior, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Superior is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; University of Wisconsin Superior 18:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Superior Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or UW-Superior? 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 Superior than Southwest Minnesota State University ($13,215 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Superior are 32.2% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($7,476 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 17.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Superior (about $1,549 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.4% higher at UW-Superior than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $6,365 more per year; $16,726.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at University of Wisconsin Superior (94% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 55.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Superior students ($8,674 vs. $5,585).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Superior Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UW-Superior students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 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 Superior 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; UW-Superior - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027; UW-Superior Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Superior students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• UW-Superior has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 19.3% at UW-Superior.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Superior Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University and UW-Superior? 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 Superior's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than UW-Superior graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $1,322 lower median loan debt than UW-Superior graduates ($21,678 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Superior graduates ($224 vs. $237).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Superior students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.