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Marshall , MN
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) is a public university located in Marshall, Minnesota. It was established in 1963 and is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. SMSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its four colleges: the College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies; the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences; the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology; and the College of Graduate Studies and Extended Learning.
SMSU is known for its strong commitment to providing a high-quality education and preparing its students for successful careers. The university offers more than 50 majors and numerous minors to cater to students' diverse interests and goals. The campus provides modern facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring students have access to the resources they need for their studies. Additionally, SMSU offers various student support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and tutoring, to support students throughout their academic journey.
Beyond academics, SMSU provides a vibrant and engaging campus life for its students. The university offers a variety of student organizations and clubs, giving students opportunities to pursue their passions and develop leadership skills. Sports also play a significant role on campus, with SMSU's Mustangs competing in NCAA Division II athletics. The university's commitment to community engagement and service is evident through its robust partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. SMSU's strong connection to the community provides students with valuable internship and job opportunities, enhancing their learning experiences and career prospects.
Southwest Minnesota State University is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Marshall, MN. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 64%. The freshman retention rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is 73.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 46%.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into Southwest Minnesota State University.
Quick Facts
7,290
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
46%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Read on to find out some essential info about admission policy and requirements at Southwest Minnesota State University.
In 2025, the school accepted 1,883 new students.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Southwest Minnesota State University was 73.4% in 2025, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 46%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 7,773 students.
The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 7,290, 106 of which were international students. The school admitted a total of 469 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 714 male and 1,265 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Southwest Minnesota State University.
This school had 62 Asian students and 201 Afro-American students in 2025. 197 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 89 as multirace. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 11 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 36 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University? Here is what you need to know.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $9,370. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $9,370 in 2025. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $9,370, as well. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,549.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $9,370 | $1,549 | $10,919 |
| In-State | $9,370 | $1,549 | $10,919 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to spend about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, room and board cost at Southwest Minnesota State University amounted to $11,470 a year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,370 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,470 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 22,040 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for completing your studies. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Southwest Minnesota State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 216 freshmen received some sort of financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 656 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $3,363,986, and state $1,960,435.
$3,861
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
598 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 200 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $2,413,616. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,146,034 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Southwest Minnesota State University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. According to the most recent information, there are 256 faculty members at this school.
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about campus life at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Its campus spans 216 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students looking to explore media and communication, Southwest Minnesota State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
FAQ
-
Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Southwest Minnesota State University is 64%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Southwest Minnesota State University is 73.4%.
Contact Information
Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State Street
Marshall , MN
56258
800 642-0684
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.