Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU

Should I go to Southwest Minnesota State University or Midwestern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southwest Minnesota State University or MSU 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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Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Midwestern State University comparison
Southwest Minnesota State University Midwestern State University College 3 College 4
Midwestern State University
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Overview

Southwest Minnesota State University MSU
Location Marshall, MN Wichita Falls, TX
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 6,930 5,784
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948 #817
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu mwsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University MSU
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $5,877
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $7,827
Room & Board $9,258 $10,046
Avg Net Price $15,004 $11,361
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $10,643
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University MSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 5,507
Admitted 1,427 5,090
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 92.4%
Enrolled % 22.8% 15.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.2
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 16/22
SAT Range 935/1102 910/1100
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2024

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University MSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (22%)
  • General Studies (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University MSU
Graduation Rate 39% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $44,300
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $22,299
Median Loan Payment $224 $230

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University MSU
% Men 38% 36%
% Women 62% 64%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 52%
% Black 5% 14%
% Hispanic 4% 17%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 5% 9%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University MSU
% In-State 74% 94%
% Out-of-State 20% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 5,784 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 50.4% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $5,877.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.9% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than Midwestern State University ($8,840.00 vs. $7,827.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Midwestern State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($11,361 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 8.5% lower than costs at Midwestern State University ($9,258 vs. $10,046)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Midwestern State University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 44% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,643 vs. $7,389)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008) is 6 points higher than at MSU (1002)
  • Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at MSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at MSU (3.2)
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (91.6%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or MSU? 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 MSU and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than Midwestern State University (39% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Midwestern State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($44,300 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $621 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($21,678 vs. $22,299)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($224 vs. $230)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 56%)

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