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Southwest Minnesota State University

#28 in Best Value Colleges in Minnesota
  • 4 Year
  • Marshall, MN
  • 295 reviews
    How to Apply
    B-
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      B-
    2. Value
      B
    3. Diversity
      B
    4. Campus
      C+
    5. Athletics
      B
    6. Party Scene
      B-
    7. Professors
      B-
    8. Location
      C+
    9. Dorms
      B
    10. Campus Food
      B-
    11. Student Life
      C
    12. Safety
      A-
    View Full Report Card
    Southwest Minnesota State is a public university located in Marshall, Minnesota. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,932 undergraduate students. Admissions is somewhat competitive as the Southwest Minnesota State acceptance rate is 62%. Popular majors include Business, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education. Graduating 45% of students, Southwest Minnesota State alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $33,100.
    About Southwest Minnesota State University...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division II (with football)
    Athletic Conference
    Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
    Address
    1501 State St
    Marshall, MN 56258
    Website
    smsu.edu

    Southwest Minnesota State University Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    62%
    Application Deadline
    Rolling Admissions
    SAT Range
    765-1075
    ACT Range
    18-24
    Application Fee
    $20
    SAT/ACT
    Required
    High School GPA
    Recommended
    Early Decision/Early Action
    —

    Cost

    Net Price
    $14,854/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $4,843/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    85%

    Academics

    Professors
    B-
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    14:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    Yes
    76%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.21 responses
    60%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.30 responses
    63%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.30 responses

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Business
      53 Graduates
    • Early Childhood Education
      50 Graduates
    • Elementary Education
      38 Graduates
    • Kinesiology and Exercise Science
      30 Graduates
    • Marketing
      26 Graduates
    • Nursing
      25 Graduates
    • Accounting
      24 Graduates
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
      23 Graduates
    • Education
      19 Graduates
    • Biology
      18 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    1,932Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    4,781
    Undergrads Over 25
    8%
    Pell Grant
    38%
    Varsity Athletes
    19%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 21 responses
    Report
    • Unique
      38%
    • Fun
      29%
    • Cliquey
      14%
    • Diverse
      10%
    • Studious
      10%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    —
    Poll
    85%
    of students say they don't have Greek life.27 responses
    Poll
    56%
    of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life.36 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 24 responses
    Report
    • Friendly
      46%
    • Home
      25%
    • Not for me.
      17%
    • Convenient
      13%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $37,600/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    45%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    95%
    National
    83%
    78%
    of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.18 responses
    Colleges like Southwest Minnesota State University
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    Southwest Minnesota State University Reviews

    295 reviews
    All Categories
    This public school has a lot going for it, if you are looking for a solid education, good facilities, and smaller size to create student connections. Like many schools, the quality of education is what you put into it and very affordable. There are some top notch professors here, authors, scientists, etc. and they will spend to help you learn. The facilities for students are very nice and connected to shield students from the weather in the winter. There are a number of non-traditional students at the campus. The school has a nice planetarium, a beautiful performance theater, quality athletic facilities, a nice education center, library, dorms and good science labs. Because it is a state school in a rural area with not as much to do, there is some college partying and some people may not like the location. These were not disappointing or disruptive factors for me.
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    This year, I will be starting the Educational Leadership Graduate program at Southwest Minnesota State University. Since the program does not officially start until September 8th, I can only give my first impressions. Upon hearing about the program from my administrator, I was very intrigued. I was not interested in doing an online program and this appeared to be a fabulous fit. It is a cohort that meets closer to my home, we will be meeting on a monthly basis and a few of my coworkers have joined the program. Two professors from the university came to the location and met with potential students, where they outlined the program, offered incentives for early admissions and took the time to hear and answer questions. The only thing that I wish were different was the timeliness of communication about the first class. All in all, I am very anxious to start this journey and look forward to what Southwest has to offer me as I work towards my Master's.
    What I like about Southwest Minnesota State University is the small community that is built here over time. It's the same workers in the cafeteria so they become a friend from concessions onto serving food all day. It is small enough for others to recognize that you're an athlete or you are in their class. It really is a great community built here at Southwest Minnesota State University. What I would like to change about Southwest Minnesota State University would be to open more to other colleges. It would be nice to have other college students come and tour or spend an overnight in the dorms because it's not well known in the cities and it's such a small town where there isn't much to do. Getting the school more open to other areas would be nice for the schools' reputation and for the student's sake of meeting others beyond the small town.