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#9 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, Minnesota

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Overview

Enrollment

6,930
Southwest Minnesota State University overview
Location Marshall, Minnesota
Online smsu.edu
School Type Public 4 Year
Setting Rural Fringe
Southwest Minnesota State University overview
Size Small
Status Non-profit
On Campus Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
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Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) is located in Marshall, Minnesota, a regional hub in the southwestern portion of the state approximately 150 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul. Established in 1967, the campus features a modern architectural design with all academic buildings connected by enclosed walkways to accommodate Minnesota's winter weather. The university operates as a primarily undergraduate institution with select master's programs, offering liberal arts and professional degrees with notable programs in agriculture, business, education, and creative writing. SMSU maintains an open admission policy and serves as a residential campus with multiple student housing options, while also supporting a substantial commuter population from the surrounding rural region. The university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Mustangs, participating in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Ratings

4/10

Overall

3/10

Academics

3/10

Resources

4/10

Outcomes

1/10

Value

Southwest Minnesota State University is rated within the lower 30% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Southwest Minnesota State University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.

Getting In

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Southwest Minnesota State University overview
SAT 935/1102
ACT 17/23
Estimated GPA 3.21

Applications Accepted

91.6% 
Southwest Minnesota State University overview
Applications Due Aug 18, 2025
Applicant Competition Very Low
Application Fee $20

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$8,840
Costs for Southwest Minnesota State University
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$1,200
Other Fees$1,282
Room and Board $9,258
Budget for Other Expenses$2,614
Total One Year Cost$23,194

Tuition and financial aid details

Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$41,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

39% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular subjects studied by Southwest Minnesota State University students
Subject Percent of Class
Business 39%
Education 16%
Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies 8%
Communication 4%
Biology 4%

View All 40 Majors

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Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=175078 IPEDS survey data for Southwest Minnesota State University.

Current students may use the Southwest Minnesota State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.

Last updated February 24, 2024