Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Union College

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

 Southwest Minnesota State University Union College
Location Marshall, MN Lincoln, NE
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 6,930 694
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu ucollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Southwest Minnesota State University Union College
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $25,920
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $25,920
Room & Board $9,258 $7,750
Avg Net Price $15,004 $23,462
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $15,293
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

 Southwest Minnesota State University Union College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 940
Admitted 1,427 929
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 98.8%
Enrolled % 22.8% 9.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 935/1102 980/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2024

Academics

 Southwest Minnesota State University Union College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Health Professions (38%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

 Southwest Minnesota State University Union College
Graduation Rate 39% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $46,200
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $224 $279

Diversity

 Southwest Minnesota State University Union College
% Men 38% 36%
% Women 62% 64%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 55%
% Black 5% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 18%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 5% 8%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Southwest Minnesota State University Union College
% In-State 74% 22%
% Out-of-State 20% 59%

Campus

 Southwest Minnesota State University Union College
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 Union College based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 694 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Union College Cost Comparison

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

  • Union College is 193.2% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($25,920.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 193.2% higher at Union College than Southwest Minnesota State University ($25,920.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Union College ($15,004 vs. $23,462)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 19.5% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($7,750 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Union College than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 107% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($15,293 vs. $7,389)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Union College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Union College (1050) is 42 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming Union College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Union College has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (91.6%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than Union College (39% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Union College earn on average $5,000 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($46,200 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $5,322 lower median federal student loan debt than Union College graduates. ($21,678 vs. $27,000)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than Union College graduates. ($224 vs. $279)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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