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Gustavus Adolphus College vs Southwest Minnesota State University

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private college in Saint Peter, MN. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public university in Marshall, MN. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants and Southwest Minnesota State University about 62%, making Gustavus Adolphus College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,291 a year at Southwest Minnesota State University after aid, and about $22,900 at Gustavus Adolphus College. About 76% of students graduate at Gustavus Adolphus College, compared with 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Ten years after enrolling, Gustavus Adolphus College alumni earn a median of about $65,607, against $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University.

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Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN · Private

Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, MN · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Saint Peter, MN
Marshall, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,878
2,315
Acceptance rate
61%
62%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.51–4
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1160–1370
935–1102
ACT (middle 50%)
24–30
16–23
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,900
$15,291
Full cost / yr
$67,613
$24,757
In-state tuition
$56,076
$10,361
Out-of-state tuition
$56,076
$10,361
Application fee
$0
$20
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,015
$10,559
$30k - $48k
$10,783
$11,175
$48k - $75k
$13,875
$13,153
$75k - $110k
$19,015
$18,283
Over $110k
$29,674
$20,701
Outcomes
Graduation rate
76%
45%
Freshman retention
88%
74%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$51,546
$43,282
Median earnings (10 yr)
$65,607
$51,342
Median debt at graduation
$26,774
$20,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
12%
First-generation students
15%
27%
International students
5%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
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 Gustavus Adolphus College or Southwest Minnesota State University harder to get into?
Gustavus Adolphus College is harder to get into. It admits about 61% of applicants, compared with 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Gustavus Adolphus College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,291 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $22,900 at Gustavus Adolphus College. 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and Southwest Minnesota State University?
Before aid, Southwest Minnesota State University costs about $24,757 a year and Gustavus Adolphus College about $67,613. 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, Gustavus Adolphus College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,559 there, against about $12,015 at Gustavus Adolphus College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Gustavus Adolphus College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University is the larger of the two, with about 2,315 undergraduates against 1,878 at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Does Gustavus Adolphus College or Southwest Minnesota State University have a better graduation rate?
Gustavus Adolphus College has the higher graduation rate, at about 76% against 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Do graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College or Southwest Minnesota State University earn more?
Gustavus Adolphus College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $65,607 ten years after enrolling, against about $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Gustavus Adolphus College and Southwest Minnesota State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Gustavus Adolphus College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Southwest Minnesota State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Gustavus Adolphus College and Southwest Minnesota State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1160–1370 at Gustavus Adolphus College and 935–1102 at Southwest Minnesota State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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