Southwest Minnesota State University vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; East Central University 18:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or ECU? 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 East Central University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,565 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 22.8% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,516 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $2,329 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.2% higher at ECU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $7,481 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at East Central University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Central University students is 6.7% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($9,255 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University or ECU? 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 ECU and Southwest Minnesota State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 10 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at ECU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (62.2%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 42.4% at ECU.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University and ECU? 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).

• Southwest Minnesota State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $4,800 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($16,878 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($174 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 45%)

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.