Southwest Minnesota State University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 2,045 students.
About This School
Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution located in Marshall, Minnesota with approximately 2,045 undergraduate students enrolled. Southwest Minnesota State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 69%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,760 per year. The graduation rate is 44%, and the typical graduate earns $41,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) is a public university in Marshall, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The university has an enrollment of approximately 8,700 students and employs 148 faculty members. It is divided into two major colleges, the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and the College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the net price is genuinely affordable at $14,760/year, and graduates leave with relatively low debt ($14,250), but the 44% graduation rate is a real concern — fewer than half of students who start here finish, which is worth asking hard questions about. Median earnings of $41,400 a decade out are modest but reasonable for a regional school focused on practical programs in business and education. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious and have a clear academic plan, but make sure you understand what's driving that low completion rate before committing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,045 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State St
Marshall, MN 56258-5468
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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