Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Southwest Minnesota State University #1050 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,029 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southwest Minnesota State University in the 20.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Southwest Minnesota State University #965 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Southwest Minnesota State University #1050 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Marshall, Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota State University enrolls roughly 2,315 undergraduates. Retention stands at 73.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 45.1%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Southwest Minnesota State University serves a student body with substantial economic and first-generation representation: 12.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.9% are first-generation college students. The institution's academic portfolio centers on Education, which shapes both its mission and its graduate outcomes. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,009. Azimuth ranks Southwest Minnesota State University #1167 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,029 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southwest Minnesota State University in the 20.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. For a regional public master's university, Southwest Minnesota State University delivers meaningful economic outcomes relative to comparable institutions. The composite reflects balanced performance across access, affordability, and mobility — Azimuth ranks Southwest Minnesota State University in the 17.8 percentile for access, the 79.2 percentile for affordability, and the 34.9 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. This profile positions the institution as a reliable choice for students seeking a clear pathway to stable employment and financial security without the cost premium of selective universities.
Southwest Minnesota State University's published cost of attendance is $24,757. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,559, middle-income families pay around $13,153, and higher-income families pay approximately $20,701. Azimuth ranks Southwest Minnesota State University #297 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Southwest Minnesota State's tuition structure reflects its public mission, with need-based aid available through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state programs. The institution participates in federal financial aid programs, and families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based support. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,500; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,750, and private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,009, median federal debt of $20,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Southwest Minnesota State University is a good fit for students interested in education and related fields who want a public university experience in MN. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,009, placing Southwest Minnesota State University in the 24.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,029 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 20.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 12.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.9% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates for Pell students of 41.7%. Published cost of attendance is $20,701, and median federal student debt at graduation is $20,500. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 62.2% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors education and related fields. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a supportive environment and measurable post-graduation value.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Southwest Minnesota State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Martin Luther College Higher acceptance rate (13.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 64 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MN | 83% | $47,491 | Compare |
Dakota State University Higher acceptance rate (28.9 percentage points higher) and located 74 miles away; similar graduate earnings | SD | 98% | $50,970 | Compare |
South Dakota State University Higher acceptance rate (29.8 percentage points higher) and located 51 miles away; similar graduate earnings | SD | 99% | $55,070 | Compare |
Concordia University-Nebraska Higher acceptance rate (21.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NE | 90% | $52,415 | Compare |
University Of Nebraska At Kearney Higher acceptance rate (16.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NE | 86% | $50,105 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern University At New Orleans Similar quality tier (#30536 ranked) | LA | 79% | $34,042 | #30536 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Superior Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29997 ranked) | WI | 93% | $49,606 | #29997 | Compare |
Delta State University Similar quality tier (#30573 ranked) | MS | 100% | $41,991 | #30573 | Compare |
Central State University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#30592 ranked) | OH | 99% | $33,267 | #30592 | Compare |
New College Of Florida Similar quality tier (#29424 ranked) | FL | 73% | $48,082 | #29424 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
81 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
16 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
11 graduates
Marketing
9 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
45 graduates
Southwest Minnesota State University's program mix is anchored in education and teacher preparation — a signature aligned with the institution's regional mission and Minnesota's workforce needs. Nursing is the largest program with 81 graduates annually, followed by Business Administration, Kinesiology, Teacher Education, and Special Education and Teaching.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 428 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in education-adjacent and applied-professional fields. The earnings pattern reflects Southwest Minnesota State University's positioning as a regional comprehensive university.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $83,735 four years after enrollment, followed by Criminal Justice with $64,654, Business Administration with $55,559, Kinesiology with $54,554, and Psychology, General with $47,249. The institution's program portfolio emphasizes fields where regional demand remains steady — particularly Education, which accounts for a substantial share of degrees and aligns with Minnesota's education and public-service workforce.
Several of these programs are grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory because graduates often continue to graduate or professional school — notably education and psychology-related fields. Others, such as business and applied-professional programs, are direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter regional labor markets immediately and earnings reflect local employment outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Southwest Minnesota State University's dominant program families align with regional and national workforce trends.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Southwest Minnesota State University's published cost of attendance is $24,757. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,559, middle-income families pay around $13,153, and higher-income families pay approximately $20,701.
Azimuth ranks Southwest Minnesota State University #297 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Southwest Minnesota State's tuition structure reflects its public mission, with need-based aid available through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state programs. The institution participates in federal financial aid programs, and families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based support.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,500; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,750, and private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,009, median federal debt of $20,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn median 4-year earnings of $55,009, placing Southwest Minnesota State University in the 24.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,029 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southwest Minnesota State University in the 20.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Southwest Minnesota State University #1167 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to MN's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $35,273 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern centers on education and human services fields, which align with regional workforce demand. Nursing is the largest program with 81 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $83,735, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field.
The Business Administration program graduates 45 students earning $55,559, and the The Kinesiology program graduates 40 students earning $54,554. Teacher Education and Special Education and Teaching round out the top five, with 38 and 23 graduates respectively.
The concentration in Education reflects both the institution's academic focus and the stable, in-demand career pathways these fields support in rural and small-town Minnesota communities.
