St. Kate's vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than St. Kate's based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 3,651 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Catherine University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Catherine University 9:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

St. Kate's vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Kate's or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University than St. Kate's ($15,547 vs. $20,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 9.5% lower than at St Catherine University ($11,028 vs. $12,188).
• St Catherine University is 396.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $41,093 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 396.6% higher at St. Kate's than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $41,093 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Catherine University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 362.2% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($40,092 vs. $8,674).

St. Kate's vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Kate's or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and St. Kate's.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 20 points higher than at St. Kate's (1000).
• Incoming St. Kate's students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Southwest Minnesota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Catherine University 850/1140; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Catherine University 20/26; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Kate's - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• St. Kate's has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at St. Kate's vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

St. Kate's vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Kate's and Southwest Minnesota State University? 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).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $6,322 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($21,678 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($224 vs. $289).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Kate's students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

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.