Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Northwest

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

Southwest Minnesota State University Northwest
Location Marshall, MN Maryville, MO
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 6,930 8,505
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948 #914
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu nwmissouri.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University Northwest
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $6,015
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $12,082
Room & Board $9,258 $10,428
Avg Net Price $15,004 $14,197
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $8,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 95%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University Northwest
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 6,877
Admitted 1,427 5,884
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 85.6%
Enrolled % 22.8% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.45
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 935/1102 938/1158
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 Aug 18, 2024

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University Northwest
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Agriculture (6%)
  • General Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University Northwest
Graduation Rate 39% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $224 $258

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University Northwest
% Men 38% 38%
% Women 62% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 79%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University Northwest
% In-State 74% 65%
% Out-of-State 20% 33%

Campus

Southwest Minnesota State University Northwest
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

  • Northwest Missouri State University is larger than than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 6,930 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

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

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 47% more expensive to attend than Northwest for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $6,015.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.7% higher at Northwest than Southwest Minnesota State University ($12,082.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest Missouri State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,197 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 12.6% lower than costs at Northwest Missouri State University ($9,258 vs. $10,428)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than Southwest Minnesota State University (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 13.5% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,387 vs. $7,389)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Northwest Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwest Missouri State University (1047) is 39 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming Northwest students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Northwest (85.6%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Northwest is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (49% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University and Northwest have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($41,200 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $3,322 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwest graduates. ($21,678 vs. $25,000)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Northwest graduates. ($224 vs. $258)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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