Southwest Minnesota State University
Public four-year university in Marshall, MN that costs an average of $16,501 a year after financial aid, admits 62% of applicants and graduates 48% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$16,501
Acceptance rate
62%
Graduation rate
48%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$52,551
PublicTown (remote)2,315 undergraduates
Cost of Southwest Minnesota State University
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $26,241 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $10,918 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $11,470 |
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| Average net price after aid | $16,501 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $11,840 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $13,458 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $13,651 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $18,518 |
| $110,001+ | $23,257 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with Southwest Minnesota State University's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 62% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,050 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 16–23 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 48% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 74% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $46,229 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $52,551 |
| Rank in Minnesota (earnings) | 30th of 38 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $18,750 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $213 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 14% |
| Students with federal loans | 14% |
Majors and programs at Southwest Minnesota State University
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (44)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 127 | $86,543 | $12,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 67 | $61,515 | $14,000 |
| Social Work | 47 | $51,003 | $20,031 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 37 | $46,314 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 43 | $45,695 | $22,504 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 82 | $43,865 | $18,233 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 27 | $43,009 | $25,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 74 | $38,612 | $19,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 29 | — | — |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 11 | — | — |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 1 | — | — |
| Agricultural Public Services | 3 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 2 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | — | — | — |
| Biology | 19 | — | — |
| Chemistry | — | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 15 | — | — |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 14 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 3 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 27 | — | — |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 7 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 11 | — | — |
| Education | 31 | — | $27,276 |
| English Language and Literature | 11 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 18 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 17 | — | — |
| History | 19 | — | — |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 9 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15 | — | — |
| Literature | — | — | — |
| Marketing | 20 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 1 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| Music | 1 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 9 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 3 | — | — |
| Plant Sciences | 9 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 7 | — | — |
| Psychology | 30 | — | $20,904 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 11 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Sociology | 6 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 6 | — | — |
Certificate programs (11)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 1 | — | — |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 1 | — | — |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 1 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 1 | — | — |
| Marketing | — | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | — | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 9 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 1 | — | — |
| Agricultural Business and Management | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 33 | — | — |
| Marketing | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (6)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 84 | $78,252 | — |
| Education | 199 | $60,978 | $20,198 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 23 | $43,766 | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | — | — | — |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 14 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | $81,617 | — |
Graduate certificate programs (8)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 31 | $91,237 | — |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | — | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 3 | — | — |
| Education | — | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 1 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Minnesota
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead | $17,601 | 59% | $55,234 |
| University of Minnesota-Crookston | Crookston | $11,170 | 88% | $64,132 |
| Bemidji State University | Bemidji | $16,327 | 56% | $58,173 |
| Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud | $16,062 | 95% | $59,509 |
| Winona State University | Winona | $17,413 | 75% | $63,354 |
| Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul | $26,556 | 99% | $66,336 |
| University of Minnesota-Morris | Morris | $10,989 | 75% | $55,010 |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth | $17,395 | 89% | $67,944 |
About Southwest Minnesota State University
| Type | Public four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Marshall, MN |
| Setting | Town (remote) |
| Undergraduates | 2,315 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 16 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | smsu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Southwest Minnesota State University's acceptance rate?
Southwest Minnesota State University admits 62% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,050 on the SAT.
How much does Southwest Minnesota State University cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $26,241 a year (tuition and fees: $10,918). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $16,501 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $11,840.
How much do Southwest Minnesota State University graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $52,551 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 30th of 38 similar colleges in Minnesota. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($86,543 a year after graduation).
What is Southwest Minnesota State University's graduation rate?
48% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 74% of first-year students return for a second year.