Overview
Southwest Minnesota State University is a 4-year public school and a campus of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. SMSU hosts two colleges and three schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 55 academic majors. In addition to classroom facilities, the university campus is home to the SMSU Art Museum, Museum of Indigenous Americans, and a planetarium. For students looking to improve their public speaking abilities, SMSU provides a space to practice and receive tutoring at the campus speech center.
Acceptance Rate:
92%
Average Net Price:
$14,397
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.4
Average ACT Composite
20
Average SAT Composite
1077
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $10,304 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $10,304 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $10,666 |
| Books and Supplies | $1200 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
49%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
10%
Average Aid Per Year
$7,389
10%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,212
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$3,631
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
30%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$3341
70%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,212
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$5,403,076
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$3,762,879
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
59%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,616
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,190
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$208
Students receiving federal loans
55%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,109
Average Other Loans Per Year
$11,172
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
1558
Students Applied
299
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
No
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Regular Decision | August 18 |
Application Fee
$20
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
54%
Submitting ACT
1%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 20
Average SAT Composite: 1077
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.4
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
6,930
Total Number of Undergrads
6,518
0
100
33%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
47%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
15:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
53
Faculty Overview
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
26
Countries Represented
25
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
27%
Student Organizations
100
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
27%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Mustangs
School Colors
brown and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Total Male Athletes
226
Total Female Athletes
113
Intramural Sports
8
Sports Club
14
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Track and Field
- Wrestling
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$41,400
Top 5 Cities
Minneapolis
Sioux Falls
Saint Cloud
Rochester
Fargo
Top 5 Employers
Southwest Minnesota State University
The Schwan Food Company
US Bank
Wells Fargo
Target
Top 5 Sectors
Education
Operations
Business Development
Sales
Community & Social Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,190
Loan Default Rate
5%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$208
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are Sayingyes i have sat in on a few classes and they are a lot harder than high school! Don't listen to the Dustin guy right above my review!
AM from MN
Southwest Minnesota State is no different from any other division 2 college. The teachers are extremely good and extremely friendly. I have learned a great deal from all of them. Small classes allow every student to learn a great deal. The biology program lacks a little bit of technology, but funding from the government is changing that.
Tim from Sartell, MN
There are so many classes at SMSU that weren't offered in high school. I'm really excited to take so many courses. But I can't fit them all into my schedule. The professors are easy to understand and are great about answering questions.
Angela from Detroit Lakes, MN
Been a great experience thus far and I am excited to continue my college education here. Have referred SMSU to other people I know because it is so great.
Kayla from Marshall, MN
southwest minnesota state university is an amazing school, and has many majors to choose from. smsu has professors that are all very knowledgeable in more than just there specialties. there are many clubs and opportunities to get active in the school.
Tricia from Mapleton, IA
SMSU is safe. SMSU is good for education majors and PE majors. Others are welcome, but unless you are only going for cheep... it's not the best school..
Trisha from Lamberton, MN
SMSU is a great campus, full of life and school pride. It is small enough to feel welcome and homey but big enough to not feel like a small town high school. The professors go above and beyond for you to succeed.
Katie from Cokato, MN
Southwest Minnesota Statue University contains everything I had hoped a college would have. I felt at home here to moment I stepped foot on campus to tour as a Senior in high school, and as a Freshman here in college I haven't had a single regret. It's a smaller college, so professors know me by name, I get to know the people in my dorms and I feel like I can truly be successful here.
Anonymous from Marshall, MN
SMSU is a college with a small town feel. It is a safe environment and the classes teach you valuable skills for your intended career path. Overall, SMSU is a good college to be at.
Amber from Browerville, MN
The staff are very friendly. The class sizes are small and easier to learn in. The school is very nice.
Hailey from MN
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