Southwest Minnesota State University
#8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota- Graduation Rate
- 45% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,342 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,291 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 62% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota.
Every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,203,314.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 26% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 45% — 22% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southwest Minnesota State University Matters
Southwest Minnesota State University is a public university in Marshall, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,315
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology
Why students choose Southwest Minnesota State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 62% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,291 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,342 ten years after enrolling — 26% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.63 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 2,315 students, Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) is a solid choice for those seeking a personalized educational experience. It tends to attract students who are focused on practical fields, with popular programs in Education, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 62% suggests that SMSU is accessible for many, making it a good fit for students who want to get involved in a supportive community while pursuing their academic goals.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $51,342 within ten years, which reflects the university's commitment to equipping graduates with relevant skills for the job market. While the graduation rate sits at 45%, the data indicates that many students find pathways to success and upward mobility. The affordability of SMSU is also noteworthy, with a net price of $15,291, making it a reasonable option for those mindful of student debt.
In terms of finances, the median debt for graduates is $20,500, which is manageable for many. The low percentage of Pell Grant recipients at 12% suggests that most students may come from a range of financial backgrounds. Students who thrive here often appreciate a collaborative environment and are motivated to leverage the practical skills offered in their chosen fields. Overall, SMSU presents a balanced choice for students looking to pursue their education without overwhelming financial burdens.
Rankings
- #8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota
- #11 Best Education Colleges in Minnesota
- #25 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota
- #27 Best Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
- #27 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #27 Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
- #27 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #28 Best Master's Programs in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Southwest Minnesota State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southwest Minnesota State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Marshall, Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,050. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 62%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- SAT Average
- 1050
- ACT Range
- 16–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,672
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 27%
- Applicants
- 1,558
- Admitted
- 1,427
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southwest Minnesota State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University is $10,361, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,291. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,559 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,361
- Out-of-State
- $10,361
- Avg Net Price
- $15,291
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 12%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 15%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,559
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,175
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,153
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,701
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Southwest Minnesota State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southwest Minnesota State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $51,342, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,282
- 8 Years
- $48,039
- 10 Years
- $51,342
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (152)
- 33%
- 100% (152)
- 33%
- 100% (152)
- 33%
- 100% (152)
- 33%
How Southwest Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Southwest Minnesota State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southwest Minnesota State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,291/year ($61,164 total). Graduates earn $51,342 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,264,478 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,203,314 (20.7× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 45% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $61,164
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,264,478
- Net Return
- $1,203,314
- ROI Multiple
- 20.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,291
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $73,000
Top Programs
The fields Southwest Minnesota State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 22% $49,829 early-career
- Business & Marketing 18% $56,711 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $72,503 early-career
- Psychology 5% $41,024 early-career
- Humanities 4% $36,992 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Criminal Justice 3% $47,206 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 2% $31,958 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southwest Minnesota State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southwest Minnesota State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Marshall, Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,050. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southwest Minnesota State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University is $10,361, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,291. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,559 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is Southwest Minnesota State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $51,342, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Southwest Minnesota State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southwest Minnesota State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southwest Minnesota State University.
- Minot State UniversityMinot, ND · Close peer46% grad $51,759 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Hawaii at HiloHilo, HI · Close peer45% grad $47,856 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Xavier University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA · Close peer49% grad $52,184 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bemidji State UniversityBemidji, MN · Close peer51% grad $53,755 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of CharlestonCharleston, WV · Close peer46% grad $55,774 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead, MN · Close peer56% grad $50,527 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · same state
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southwest Minnesota State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southwest Minnesota State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note