Southwest Minnesota State University vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or VSU? 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 VSU ($15,547 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 17.4% lower than at Virginia State University ($11,028 vs. $13,355).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $318 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.6% higher at VSU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $12,289 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Virginia State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 43.5% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($12,447 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 60 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $7,822 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($21,678 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($224 vs. $305).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 28%)

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.