Orion Technical College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Orion Technical College in Davenport, IA with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Orion Technical College based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Orion Technical College is located in Davenport, IA (Small City setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Orion Technical College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Orion Technical College 6:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Orion Technical College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Orion Technical College 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 Southwest Minnesota State University than Orion Technical College ($15,547 vs. $27,001).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orion Technical College are 0.7% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,956 vs. $11,028).
• Orion Technical College is 50.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $5,239 more per year; $15,600.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.6% higher at Orion Technical College than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $5,239 more per year; $15,600.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Orion Technical College (94% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 80.6% larger than aid received by Orion Technical College students ($8,674 vs. $4,802).

Orion Technical College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Orion Technical College 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 Orion Technical College.

• Orion Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Orion Technical College - Open admission; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.

Orion Technical College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Orion Technical College 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).

• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Orion Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have a $12,178 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($9,500 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($98 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Orion Technical College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 33%)

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.