Southwest Minnesota State University Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Marshall, MN
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#8 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

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Southwest Minnesota State University Admission Overview

Southwest Minnesota State University admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Southwest Minnesota State University admitted 62.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 935-1102 / ACT 17-23. Southwest Minnesota State University is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Southwest Minnesota State University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Southwest Minnesota State University Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

62.2%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Southwest Minnesota State University acceptance rate is 62.2%. Last year, 1,748 of 2,811 applicants were admitted. That is the 10th lowest acceptance rate in Minnesota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Southwest Minnesota State University and can you get accepted?

Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Southwest Minnesota State University GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.21*

Typical High School Grades

B+

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.21*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Southwest Minnesota State University has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.21 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. Southwest Minnesota State University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

*3.21 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Southwest Minnesota State University SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

935-1102

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 445
Math 490
Composite 935

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 562
Math 540
Composite 1102

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Southwest Minnesota State University typically score around a 1020 SAT (middle 50% 935–1102) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 43rd percentile nationally. Southwest Minnesota State University ranks #25 in the state of Minnesota for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 935 to 1102

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Southwest Minnesota State University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1020 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Southwest Minnesota State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1102+	Above 75th	>76%
1020 to 1102	Avg +	62%-76%
935 to 1020	Avg -	46%-62%
Below 935	Below mid-50	<46%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Southwest Minnesota State University ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

17-23

Freshmen reporting ACT

40%

25th Percentile Scores

English 15
Math 17
Composite 17

75th Percentile Scores

English 22
Math 24
Composite 23

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Southwest Minnesota State University typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 17–23) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Southwest Minnesota State University places #28 among colleges in Minnesota for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 23

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Southwest Minnesota State University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Southwest Minnesota State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
23+	Above 75th	>76%
20 to 23	Avg +	62%-76%
17 to 20	Avg -	46%-62%
Below 17	Below mid-50	<46%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

59% of Southwest Minnesota State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Southwest Minnesota State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	7%
Top 25% of class	24%
Top 50% of class	59%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Southwest Minnesota State University chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Southwest Minnesota State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	1,457	1,317	2,811
Accepted	971	749	1,748
Acceptance Rate	67%	57%	62%
Enrolled	228	156	388
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	23%	21%	22%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Southwest Minnesota State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Southwest Minnesota State University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 18, 2027

Days left to Apply

352

Applicants have 352 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 18, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Southwest Minnesota State University is $20.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Southwest Minnesota State University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Southwest Minnesota State University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 62.2% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (935-1102); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025