Skip to content

Bemidji State University vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Bemidji State University is a public university in Bemidji, MN. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private university in Winona, MN. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota about 93%, making Bemidji State University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,704 a year at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota after aid, and about $15,261 at Bemidji State University. About 67% of students graduate at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, compared with 51% at Bemidji State University. Ten years after enrolling, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota alumni earn a median of about $58,170, against $53,755 for Bemidji State University.

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN · Public

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Bemidji, MN
Winona, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
3,139
1,073
Acceptance rate
56%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.6–4
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
Not reported
1030–1196
ACT (middle 50%)
18–24
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$15,261
$11,704
Full cost / yr
$22,744
$57,380
In-state tuition
$10,237
$45,080
Out-of-state tuition
$10,237
$45,080
Application fee
Not reported
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,073
$16,182
$30k - $48k
$10,207
$15,175
$48k - $75k
$12,201
$15,030
$75k - $110k
$15,857
$14,771
Over $110k
$19,940
$6,135
Outcomes
Graduation rate
51%
67%
Freshman retention
73%
75%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$47,469
$54,549
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,755
$58,170
Median debt at graduation
$19,750
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
28%
25%
First-generation students
27%
26%
International students
2%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Aug 25
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Bemidji State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota harder to get into?
Bemidji State University is harder to get into. It admits about 56% of applicants, compared with 93% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bemidji State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,704 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $15,261 at Bemidji State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Bemidji State University and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Before aid, Bemidji State University costs about $22,744 a year and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota about $57,380. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Bemidji State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Bemidji State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,073 there, against about $16,182 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bemidji State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Bemidji State University is the larger of the two, with about 3,139 undergraduates against 1,073 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Does Bemidji State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota have a better graduation rate?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has the higher graduation rate, at about 67% against 51% at Bemidji State University.
Do graduates of Bemidji State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn more?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota alumni earn more on average: a median of about $58,170 ten years after enrolling, against about $53,755 for Bemidji State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bemidji State University and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota require SAT or ACT scores?
Bemidji State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school