Southwest Minnesota State Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Southwest Minnesota State University is a public research university in Marshall, Minnesota, enrolling about 2,315 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 62.18% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $51,342 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,361
- 2024 Average Net Price: $15,291 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 62.18% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,315 71.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 45.10%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 26.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 1.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 0.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 51.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1050
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,291
- Applicants (IPEDS): 2,630
- Room & Board: $11,028 annual estimate
Southwest Minnesota State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Southwest Minnesota State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (ZIP 56258-5468).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is Southwest Minnesota State University public or private?
Southwest Minnesota State University is a Public institution.
How much does Southwest Minnesota State University cost?
Published tuition: $10,361.
Average net price after aid: $15,291.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $10,559 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,175 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $13,153 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,283 |
| $110,001+ | $20,701 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $41,444.
How hard is it to get into Southwest Minnesota State University?
Admission rate: 62.18%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1050.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Southwest Minnesota State University?
Total enrollment: 2,315 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 9,291 students.
Graduate enrollment: 479 students.
About 71% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University?
150%-time completion rate: 45.10%.
First-year retention: 73.7%.
What do graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn?
Median earnings: $43,282 six years after entry; $51,342 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,500.
12.07% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Southwest Minnesota State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Education, General (116 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (72 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (57 completions)
- Social Work (32 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (30 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (25 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, General (23 completions)
- Computer Science (18 completions)
- Physical Education Teaching and Coaching (17 completions)
- Psychology, General (16 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Southwest Minnesota State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 62.18%; completion rate 45.10%; median earnings $51,342 at 10 years; net price $15,291. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,361
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University was $10,361.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$15,291
2024 Value
In 2024 Southwest Minnesota State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,291.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$61,164 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$15,291 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$41,444 4-Year Tuition
$11,028 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$22,589 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$90,356 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Southwest Minnesota State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
12.07% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
15.41% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Southwest Minnesota State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Southwest Minnesota State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $8,074 | $8,074 | $14,519 |
| 2014 | $8,074 | $8,074 | $14,387 |
| 2015 | $8,326 | $8,326 | $14,909 |
| 2016 | $8,347 | $8,347 | $14,926 |
| 2017 | $8,610 | $8,610 | $14,708 |
| 2018 | $8,612 | $8,612 | $14,435 |
| 2019 | $8,874 | $8,874 | $14,397 |
| 2020 | $9,058 | $9,058 | $13,872 |
| 2021 | $9,482 | $9,482 | $13,683 |
| 2022 | $10,122 | $10,122 | $14,727 |
| 2023 | $10,304 | $10,304 | $14,760 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
62.18% Acceptance Rate
2,630 Total Applicants
1,813 Students Admitted
368 First-Time Students Enrolled
20.30% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1050
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Southwest Minnesota State University reported total enrollment of about 2,315 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 33% male and 67% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (69.4%), Black or African American (8.6%), and Hispanic or Latino (8.6%). About 12.07% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 26.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
71.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2024 is 2,315 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 9,291 students. Graduate enrollment is about 479 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
73.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 69.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
29.97% 100% Completion Time
45.10% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 29.97% of students graduating from Southwest Minnesota State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Education, General: 26% male / 74% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 42% male / 58% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 12% male / 88% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Southwest Minnesota State University.
Return on Investment
$20,500 Median Student Debt
$51,342 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
39.93% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
739.42% Return on Investment
4.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Southwest Minnesota State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 48 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Education, General: 116 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 72 completions
3. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 57 completions
4. Social Work: 32 completions
5. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 30 completions
6. Elementary Education and Teaching: 25 completions
7. Special Education and Teaching, General: 23 completions
8. Computer Science: 18 completions
9. Physical Education Teaching and Coaching: 17 completions
Most popular programs at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Southwest Minnesota State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Southwest Minnesota State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 51.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,672
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,153
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution located in Marshall, MN, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Education, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Enrollment is approximately 2,315 students. Student body composition includes White (69.4%), Black or African American (8.6%), Hispanic or Latino (8.6%). The admission rate is 62.18%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1050. The 150%-time completion rate is 45.10%. Approximately 12.07% of students receive Pell Grants. About 26.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Marshall, MN 56258-5468
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Southwest Minnesota State University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Southwest Minnesota State University located?
Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN.
What is Southwest Minnesota State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is 62.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 2,630 applicants and 1,813 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Southwest Minnesota State University cost?
Reported tuition is $10,361 and average net price is $15,291 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,028 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 9,291 students, White (69.4%), Black or African American (8.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Southwest Minnesota State University?
About 26.9% of students at Southwest Minnesota State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Southwest Minnesota State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Southwest Minnesota State University reports midpoint SAT about 1050.
What do graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn?
Median earnings are $43,282 six years after entry and $51,342 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 45.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Southwest Minnesota State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,500.
Is Southwest Minnesota State University public or private?
Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution located in Marshall, MN.
Is Southwest Minnesota State University an HBCU?
No. Southwest Minnesota State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Southwest Minnesota State University a tribal college?
No. Southwest Minnesota State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Minnesota college costs
- Minnesota colleges by ROI
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Minnesota
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.