University of Dubuque vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

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

University of Dubuque Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Dubuque, IA Marshall, MN
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,776 6,930
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #756 #948
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dbq.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Dubuque Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $36,800 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $36,800 $8,840
Room & Board $11,024 $9,258
Avg Net Price $22,879 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $25,005 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

University of Dubuque Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,579 1,558
Admitted 1,343 1,427
Acceptance Rate 85.1% 91.6%
Enrolled % 23.7% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.21
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 17/23
SAT Range 828/1070 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

University of Dubuque Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (15%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

University of Dubuque Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 41% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,674 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $265 $224

Diversity

University of Dubuque Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 56% 38%
% Women 44% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 80%
% Black 14% 5%
% Hispanic 9% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

University of Dubuque Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 25% 74%
% Out-of-State 69% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than University of Dubuque based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 1,776 students)

University of Dubuque vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dubuque or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • University of Dubuque is 316.3% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($36,800.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 316.3% higher at University of Dubuque than Southwest Minnesota State University ($36,800.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than University of Dubuque ($15,004 vs. $22,879)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 19.1% lower than costs at University of Dubuque ($9,258 vs. $11,024)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Dubuque than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dubuque students is 238.4% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($25,005 vs. $7,389)

University of Dubuque vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008) is 64 points higher than at University of Dubuque (944)
  • Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of Dubuque (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of Dubuque students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than University of Dubuque (85.1%)

University of Dubuque vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Dubuque or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Dubuque.

  • The graduation rate at University of Dubuque is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (41% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Dubuque earn on average $600 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $3,996 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Dubuque graduates. ($21,678 vs. $25,674)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than University of Dubuque graduates. ($224 vs. $265)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Dubuque students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/