Southwest Minnesota State University
Southwest Minnesota State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Southwest Minnesota State University at a Glance
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) is a public university in Marshall, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The university has an enrollment of approximately 8,700 students and employs 148 faculty members. It is divided into two major colleges, the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and the College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies.
1964
62 years old
$57M
$57 million (2019)
8,718
148
216 acres
Identity
Is Southwest Minnesota State University Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Southwest Minnesota State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,342 — 5% below average — while paying $15,291/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Southwest Minnesota State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Southwest Minnesota State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #47 of 88 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #6 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #47 | Southwest Minnesota State University | 37 | $15,291 | $51,342 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Southwest Minnesota State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MN.
Best Programs at Southwest Minnesota State University
The highest-earning program at Southwest Minnesota State University is Accounting and Related Services at $44,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $25,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Southwest Minnesota State University earns $44,100, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $25,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $22,942 in median debt vs. $24,500 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,291/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,100 | $44,100 | $22,942 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,400 | $41,400 | $19,625 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,100 | $39,100 | $18,115 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,600 | $37,600 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,900 | $36,900 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,200 | $36,200 | $23,000 |
| Marketing | $34,900 | $34,900 | $18,243 |
| Social Work | $33,400 | $33,400 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $31,400 | $31,400 | $19,346 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,600 | $25,600 | $24,500 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Marshall, MN
- Student Body
- 2,315 students
- Admission Rate
- 62%
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,291
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,342
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500