Southwest Minnesota State University vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

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

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than WSC based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or WSC? 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 WSC ($15,547 vs. $16,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State College are 8% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,142 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 26.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSC (about $2,145 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Wayne State College (about $2,145 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State College than at Southwest Minnesota State University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 33.1% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($8,674 vs. $6,517).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. WSC Admissions comparison

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

• Wayne State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; WSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wayne State College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than WSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State College graduates have a $1,628 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($20,050 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, WSC graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($207 vs. $224).
• More WSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.