UIU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than UIU based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 3,941 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Upper Iowa University 25:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

UIU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 UIU ($15,547 vs. $20,426).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 8.2% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,121 vs. $11,028).
• Upper Iowa University is 88% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $9,114 more per year; $19,475.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88% higher at UIU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $9,114 more per year; $19,475.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Upper Iowa University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Upper Iowa University students is 56.7% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($13,596 vs. $8,674).

UIU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Upper Iowa University (1070) is 50 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 970/1160; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 14/21; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIU - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UIU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.9% at UIU vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

UIU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Upper Iowa University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Upper Iowa University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $2,322 lower median loan debt than UIU graduates ($21,678 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIU graduates ($224 vs. $248).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 50%)

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.