ATU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

ATU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU 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 Arkansas Tech University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($12,626 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 6.3% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,338 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 19.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $1,687 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at ATU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $4,307 more per year; $14,668.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Arkansas Tech University (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 14.1% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($9,901 vs. $8,674).

ATU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU 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 ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 30 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming ATU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Southwest Minnesota State University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

ATU vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU 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).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $3,928 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($17,750 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($183 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

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.