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Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University is based in the town of Marshall, MN — a public campus in a small-town setting.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$9,440

family income
under $30k

$11,263

$30–48k

$12,810

$48–75k

$16,813

$75–110k

$19,513

over $110k

Average net price

$15,2912023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Southwest Minnesota State University rose from $11,940 (2008) to $15,291 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$11,940
2009	$12,303
2010	$12,384
2011	$13,711
2012	$14,519
2013	$14,387
2014	$14,909
2015	$14,926
2016	$14,708
2017	$14,435
2018	$14,397
2019	$13,872
2020	$13,683
2021	$14,727
2022	$14,760
2023	$15,291

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$24,7572024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Southwest Minnesota State University rose from $16,426 (2009) to $24,757 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$16,426
2010	$17,200
2011	$17,876
2012	$18,398
2013	$19,109
2014	$19,028
2015	$19,517
2016	$19,703
2017	$20,068
2018	$20,269
2019	$20,621
2020	$20,481
2021	$20,989
2022	$21,596
2023	$22,399
2024	$24,757

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,425	$6,920
2001	$3,716	$3,716
2002	$4,091	$4,091
2003	$4,616	$4,616
2004	$5,294	$5,294
2005	$5,854	$5,854
2006	$6,240	$6,240
2007	$6,518	$6,518
2008	$6,696	$6,696
2013	$8,074	$8,074
2014	$8,074	$8,074
2015	$8,326	$8,326
2016	$8,347	$8,347
2017	$8,610	$8,610
2018	$8,612	$8,612
2019	$8,874	$8,874
2020	$9,058	$9,058
2021	$9,482	$9,482
2022	$10,122	$10,122
2023	$10,304	$10,304

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Southwest Minnesota State University reports published tuition by residency: $10,361 in-state versus $10,361 out-of-state — a $0 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Southwest Minnesota State University reports 2,315 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

45.1% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Southwest Minnesota State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

45.1%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University rose from 30.3% (entered 1991) to 45.1% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	30.3%
1992 cohort	28.7%
1993 cohort	34.9%
1994 cohort	34.5%
1995 cohort	39.2%
1996 cohort	39.9%
1997 cohort	39.4%
1998 cohort	48.6%
1999 cohort	39.4%
2000 cohort	40.2%
2001 cohort	46.9%
2002 cohort	40.8%
2003 cohort	42.4%
2004 cohort	39.7%
2005 cohort	39.5%
2006 cohort	41.1%
2007 cohort	42.8%
2008 cohort	43.2%
2009 cohort	39.3%
2010 cohort	49.8%
2011 cohort	44.9%
2012 cohort	45.8%
2013 cohort	49.7%
2014 cohort	48.1%
2015 cohort	47.8%
2016 cohort	40.8%
2017 cohort	44.1%
2018 cohort	45.1%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$15,229	$5,488
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$14,500	$4,938
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$15,319	$3,937
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$15,710	$3,758
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$16,000	$4,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,150	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$17,125	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$19,563	$6,027
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$20,929	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$22,151	$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$23,014	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$22,375	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$21,500	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$20,500	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$21,500	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$21,823	$8,897
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$21,180	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$20,500	$8,750

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$43,282

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$48,039

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$51,342

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Southwest Minnesota State University admitted 1,748 of 2,811 applicants in Fall 2024. The 62.2% rate describes that application pool.

62.2%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $10,304 in-state tuition · 2023–24 2,315 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Southwest Minnesota State University: scores were considered but optional in the Fall 2024 admissions cycle.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
ACT Composite	16	20	23

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Southwest Minnesota State University received 2,811 applications and admitted 1,748 (62.2%), with 388 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

62.2%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	52.2%
Fall 2002	53.7%
Fall 2003	52.3%
Fall 2004	81.2%
Fall 2005	75.8%
Fall 2006	72.4%
Fall 2007	77.6%
Fall 2008	76.1%
Fall 2009	65%
Fall 2010	73.2%
Fall 2011	80.2%
Fall 2012	70.4%
Fall 2013	65.5%
Fall 2014	66.9%
Fall 2015	64%
Fall 2016	54.2%
Fall 2017	61.6%
Fall 2018	60.3%
Fall 2019	63.9%
Fall 2020	80.6%
Fall 2021	91%
Fall 2022	91.6%
Fall 2023	68.9%
Fall 2024	62.2%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

935–1102Fall 2020 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2012	860	1065
Fall 2014	845	1005
Fall 2015	750	1070
Fall 2016	765	1075
Fall 2018	865	1030
Fall 2019	907	1087
Fall 2020	935	1102

IPEDS Fall 2012–2020, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

16–23Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	17	24
Fall 2002	17	24
Fall 2003	17	24
Fall 2004	17	24
Fall 2005	18	24
Fall 2006	18	24
Fall 2007	19	24
Fall 2008	19	25
Fall 2009	19	24
Fall 2010	19	24
Fall 2011	19	24
Fall 2012	19	24
Fall 2013	19	24
Fall 2014	19	23
Fall 2015	19	24
Fall 2016	18	23
Fall 2017	18	24
Fall 2018	17	23
Fall 2019	18	24
Fall 2020	17	23
Fall 2022	17	23
Fall 2023	17	23
Fall 2024	16	23

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

2,315Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Southwest Minnesota State University fell from 5,167 (Fall 2002) to 2,315 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	5,167
Fall 2003	5,262
Fall 2004	5,370
Fall 2005	2,640
Fall 2006	2,643
Fall 2007	2,623
Fall 2008	2,600
Fall 2009	2,584
Fall 2010	2,598
Fall 2011	2,485
Fall 2012	2,516
Fall 2013	2,426
Fall 2014	2,359
Fall 2015	2,300
Fall 2016	2,321
Fall 2017	2,133
Fall 2018	2,022
Fall 2019	1,927
Fall 2020	1,945
Fall 2021	1,982
Fall 2022	1,956
Fall 2023	2,045
Fall 2024	2,315

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

74%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Southwest Minnesota State University rose from 66% (Fall 2002) to 74% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	66%
Fall 2003 cohort	71%
Fall 2004 cohort	66%
Fall 2005 cohort	68%
Fall 2006 cohort	71%
Fall 2007 cohort	69%
Fall 2008 cohort	69%
Fall 2009 cohort	68%
Fall 2010 cohort	70%
Fall 2011 cohort	69%
Fall 2012 cohort	67%
Fall 2013 cohort	69%
Fall 2014 cohort	68%
Fall 2015 cohort	69%
Fall 2016 cohort	60%
Fall 2017 cohort	65%
Fall 2018 cohort	67%
Fall 2019 cohort	74%
Fall 2020 cohort	63%
Fall 2021 cohort	67%
Fall 2022 cohort	70%
Fall 2023 cohort	74%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Southwest Minnesota State University

Faculty pay at Southwest Minnesota State University averages $128,064 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Southwest Minnesota State University as a primarily residential campus of 2,315 undergraduates — and 73.7% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Incoming students who submitted scores typically landed between 16 and 23 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on Southwest Minnesota State University's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Southwest Minnesota State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Southwest Minnesota State University62.2%

Minnesota median85.4%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Southwest Minnesota State University$10,361

Minnesota median$22,520

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Southwest Minnesota State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Southwest Minnesota State University$51,342

Minnesota median$58,351

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Southwest Minnesota State University, Minnesota and national reference values
Metric & basis	Southwest Minnesota State University	Minnesota median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	62.2%	85.4%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$10,361	$22,520	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$51,342	$58,351	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Southwest Minnesota State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Southwest Minnesota State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 10 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$83,735
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$64,654
Finance and Financial Management Services	$59,824
Marketing	$58,574
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$55,559
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$54,554
Psychology, General	$47,249
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	$47,219
Social Work	$45,467
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$43,904

These 10 fields listed for Southwest Minnesota State University measure earnings after completion. The $51,342 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 32 additional Southwest Minnesota State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Southwest Minnesota State University report?

The middle 50% of Southwest Minnesota State University's enrolled Fall 2024 submitters reported ACT composites of 16–23; this dataset does not provide a GPA requirement.

What is Southwest Minnesota State University's acceptance rate?

62.2% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 1,748 admitted from 2,811 applicants.

How much does Southwest Minnesota State University cost?

In-state tuition is $10,361; out-of-state students pay $10,361. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Southwest Minnesota State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $51,342. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Minnesota

Winona State University — 75.5% admitted
University of Minnesota-Morris — 74.9% admitted
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — 79.7% admitted
Gustavus Adolphus College — 61% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.