BLC vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Should I go to Bethany Lutheran College or Southwest Minnesota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BLC or Southwest Minnesota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Minnesota State University-Mankato KU Winona State University WLC
Bethany Lutheran College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University comparison
Bethany Lutheran College Southwest Minnesota State University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 BLC Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Mankato, MN Marshall, MN
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 830 6,930
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation Other (none of the above) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website blc.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 BLC Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $28,330 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $28,330 $8,840
Room & Board $8,270 $9,258
Avg Net Price $18,525 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $20,705 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

 BLC Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 665 1,558
Admitted 389 1,427
Acceptance Rate 58.5% 91.6%
Enrolled % 45.2% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25 17/23
SAT Range 990/1290 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2024 Aug 18, 2024

Academics

 BLC Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 BLC Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 53% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $240 $224

Diversity

 BLC Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 48% 38%
% Women 52% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 80%
% Black 3% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 BLC Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 59% 74%
% Out-of-State 23% 20%

Campus

 BLC Southwest Minnesota State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than BLC based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 830 students)

BLC vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • Bethany Lutheran College is 220.5% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($28,330.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 220.5% higher at BLC than Southwest Minnesota State University ($28,330.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than BLC ($15,004 vs. $18,525)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 11.9% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,270 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students is 180.2% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($20,705 vs. $7,389)

BLC vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BLC or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or BLC .

  • The average SAT score at Bethany Lutheran College (1074) is 66 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming BLC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman BLC students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than BLC (58.5%)

BLC vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BLC or Southwest Minnesota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southwest Minnesota State University and BLC.

  • The graduation rate at BLC is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (53% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn on average $3,900 more per year than BLC graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $37,300)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $1,572 lower median federal student loan debt than BLC graduates. ($21,678 vs. $23,250)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than BLC graduates. ($224 vs. $240)
  • More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/