Southwest Minnesota State University
#9 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 #9 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, Computer Science & IT
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
- #9 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota
- #12 Best Education Colleges in Minnesota
- #21 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #21 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #25 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota
- #27 Best Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
- #28 Best Master's Programs in Minnesota
- #29 Best Psychology Colleges 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.
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. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Education 21%
- Business & Marketing 14%
- Health Professions 14%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Psychology 5%
- Humanities 5%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Communications 3%
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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
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