Southwest Minnesota State University

www.smsu.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$8,840

2023 Average Net Price

$14,839

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

0.132%

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

68.9%

2,630 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

7,324

25.2% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

42.6%

140 Graduates

About

Southwest Minnesota State University is a higher education institution located in Lyon County, MN. In 2023, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Southwest Minnesota State University were General Education (99 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (41 degrees), and Physical Education Teaching & Coaching (13 degrees).

In 2023, 674 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Southwest Minnesota State University. 67.5% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 32.5% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (519 degrees), 10.2 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (51 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University is $8,840, which is $−15,735 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Southwest Minnesota State University was 0.132%, corresponding to 1 out of the 759 total borrowers.

Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University is $8,840, which is $15,735 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $14,839.

In 2023, 24% of undergraduate students attending Southwest Minnesota State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 15% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$8,840

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University was $8,840. The cost of tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University is $−15,735 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Southwest Minnesota State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$14,839

2023 Value

1.1%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Southwest Minnesota State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,839. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Southwest Minnesota State University grew by 1.1%.

This chart compares the average net price of Southwest Minnesota State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$9,258

Room and Board

$1,200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Southwest Minnesota State University was of $9,258 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 2.57% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Southwest Minnesota State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

24%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

15%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

24% of undergraduate students at Southwest Minnesota State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 11.1% with respect to 2022, when 27% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Southwest Minnesota State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.132%

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Southwest Minnesota State University was 0.132%, which represents 1 out of the 759 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Southwest Minnesota State University received 2,630 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 68.8% annual growth. Out of those 2,630 applicants, 1,813 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 68.9% acceptance rate.

There were 7,324 students enrolled at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2023. 1% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Southwest Minnesota State University has an overall enrollment yield of 20.3%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

68.9%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

1,813

Accepted Out of 2,630

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Southwest Minnesota State University was 68.9% (1,813 admissions from 2,630 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 91.6%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 68.8%, while admissions grew by 27%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Southwest Minnesota State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

Submission Percentage (2022)

Scores Submitted (2022)

1% of enrolled first-time students at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2022 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Southwest Minnesota State University had a total enrollment of 7,324 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Southwest Minnesota State University is 1,848 students and the part-time enrollment is 5,476. This means that 25.2% of students enrolled at Southwest Minnesota State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Southwest Minnesota State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 79% White, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 3.15% Black or African American, 2.8% Two or More Races, 1.76% Asian, 0.232% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0683% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Southwest Minnesota State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (46.5%), followed by White Male (24%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.89%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (60%), followed by White Male (20.4%) and Hispanic or Latino Male (1.72%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

25.2%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 7,324 students. The full-time enrollment at Southwest Minnesota State University is 1,848 and the part-time enrollment is 5,476. This means that 25.2% of students enrolled at Southwest Minnesota State University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.2% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Southwest Minnesota State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

70%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Southwest Minnesota State University was 70%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), Southwest Minnesota State University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Southwest Minnesota State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
5,783 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
403 enrolled students
Black or African American
231 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Southwest Minnesota State University is 79% White, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 3.15% Black or African American, 2.8% Two or More Races, 1.76% Asian, 0.232% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0683% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 50.1% White, 17.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 404 students (5.52%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 236 more women than men received degrees from Southwest Minnesota State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Southwest Minnesota State University is white (519 degrees awarded). There were 10.2 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (51 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Southwest Minnesota State University is General Education (99 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (41 degrees) and Physical Education Teaching & Coaching (13 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Southwest Minnesota State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Education (259 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (39 degrees), and History (8 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southwest Minnesota State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,529,591 people), Secondary school teachers (537,194 people), Education administrators (276,810 people), Special education teachers (205,267 people), and Other managers (191,312 people).

The most specialized majors at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2023 are Education (259 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (39 degrees), History (8 degrees), Agriculture (13 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (7 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Diagnostic medical sonographers

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southwest Minnesota State University are Diagnostic medical sonographers, Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at Southwest Minnesota State University are Education (259 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (39 degrees), History (8 degrees), Agriculture (13 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (7 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southwest Minnesota State University are Elementary & secondary schools (3,190,968 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (470,084 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (381,702 people), Outpatient care centers (269,733 people), and Individual & family services (268,515 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Southwest Minnesota State University.

Most Common (2023)

Registered Nursing
70 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
38 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
33 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Southwest Minnesota State University was Registered Nursing with 70 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Southwest Minnesota State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

219

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

455

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 219 degrees were awarded to men at Southwest Minnesota State University, which is 0.481 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (455).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Southwest Minnesota State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 43 degrees were awarded to men at Southwest Minnesota State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.19 times more than the 36 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 95 degrees were awarded to men at Southwest Minnesota State University in General Education, which is 5 times more than the 19 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

29%

100% Completion Time

47%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 29% of students graduating from Southwest Minnesota State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 47% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 49% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (52.7%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Southwest Minnesota State University is Female and White (52.7% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.714% of graduates (1 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
519 degrees awarded
Black or African American
51 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
34 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Southwest Minnesota State University is white (519 degrees awarded). There were 10.2 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (51 degrees).

0.742% of degree recipients (5 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
374 degrees awarded
White Male
145 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
26 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Southwest Minnesota State University is white female (374 degrees awarded). There were 2.58 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (145 degrees).

Operations

Southwest Minnesota State University has an endowment valued at nearly $18.2M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 452k (2.48%) compared to the 5.72% average return (2.84M on 49.7M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2023, Southwest Minnesota State University had a total salary expenditure of 57.7M. Southwest Minnesota State University employs 48 Professors, 28 Associate professors and 26 Assistant professors. Most academics at Southwest Minnesota State University are Male Professor (27), Female Professor (21), and Female Assistant professor (17).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Southwest Minnesota State University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 42 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 37 employees, and Service with 21 employees.

Endowment

$18.2M

2023 Endowment

28.6%

growth from 2022

Southwest Minnesota State University has an endowment valued at about $18.2M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Southwest Minnesota State University grew 28.6% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $31.5M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Southwest Minnesota State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$27.3M

2023 Salaries

5.63%

growth from 2022

In 2023, Southwest Minnesota State University paid a median of $27.3M in salaries, which represents 47.3% of their overall expenditure ($57.7M) and a 5.63% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.37% decline between 2021 and 2022, and a 1.42% growth between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 36.1M (39.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$9.79M

Instructional Salaries

104

Number of Employees

In 2023, Southwest Minnesota State University paid a total of $9.79M to 104 employees working as instructors, which represents 35.8% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $1.12M (2.97%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

48 Employees

Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

42 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Southwest Minnesota State University were Professor with 48 employees, Associate professor with 28 employees, and Assistant professor with 26 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Southwest Minnesota State University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 42 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 37 employees, and Service with 21 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Professor
Female Professor
Female Assistant professor

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Southwest Minnesota State University was Male Professor with 27 employees, Female Professor with 21 employees, and Female Assistant professor with 17 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Southwest Minnesota State University.

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