Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Eau Claire

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

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-Eau Claire
Location Marshall, MN Eau Claire, WI
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 6,930 10,104
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948 #565
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu uwec.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-Eau Claire
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $7,361
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $16,074
Room & Board $9,258 $9,014
Avg Net Price $15,004 $15,000
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $4,251
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 76%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-Eau Claire
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 10,403
Admitted 1,427 7,971
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 76.6%
Enrolled % 22.8% 26.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.59
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 21/26
SAT Range 935/1102
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 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-Eau Claire
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-Eau Claire
Graduation Rate 39% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $47,900
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $224 $240

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-Eau Claire
% Men 38% 40%
% Women 62% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 89%
% Black 5% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University UW-Eau Claire
% In-State 74% 64%
% Out-of-State 20% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (10,104 students vs. 6,930 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or UW-Eau Claire?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 20.1% more expensive to attend than UW-Eau Claire for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $7,361.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 81.8% higher at UW-Eau Claire than Southwest Minnesota State University ($16,074.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire than Southwest Minnesota State University ($15,000 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 2.7% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($9,014 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (94% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 73.8% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Eau Claire ($7,389 vs. $4,251)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (1110) is 102 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming UW-Eau Claire students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than UW-Eau Claire (76.6%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-Eau Claire is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (65% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn on average $6,700 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($47,900 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $1,572 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates. ($21,678 vs. $23,250)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than UW-Eau Claire graduates. ($224 vs. $240)
  • More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 66%)

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