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Southwest Minnesota State University vs University of Minnesota-Rochester

Southwest Minnesota State University is a public university in Marshall, MN. University of Minnesota-Rochester is a public university in Rochester, MN. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants and University of Minnesota-Rochester about 71%, making Southwest Minnesota State University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,744 a year at University of Minnesota-Rochester after aid, and about $15,291 at Southwest Minnesota State University. About 57% of students graduate at University of Minnesota-Rochester, compared with 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Ten years after enrolling, University of Minnesota-Rochester alumni earn a median of about $69,020, against $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University.

Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, MN · Public

University of Minnesota-Rochester

Rochester, MN · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Marshall, MN
Rochester, MN
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
2,315
568
Acceptance rate
62%
71%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.4–3.9
3.42–3.92
SAT (middle 50%)
935–1102
950–1380
ACT (middle 50%)
16–23
21–29
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$15,291
$13,744
Full cost / yr
$24,757
$28,904
In-state tuition
$10,361
$15,016
Out-of-state tuition
$10,361
$15,016
Application fee
$20
$30
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,559
$6,116
$30k - $48k
$11,175
$4,256
$48k - $75k
$13,153
$6,748
$75k - $110k
$18,283
$14,650
Over $110k
$20,701
$23,769
Outcomes
Graduation rate
45%
57%
Freshman retention
74%
70%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$43,282
$57,984
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,342
$69,020
Median debt at graduation
$20,500
$19,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
12%
36%
First-generation students
27%
19%
International students
5%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
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 Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester harder to get into?
Southwest Minnesota State University is harder to get into. It admits about 62% of applicants, compared with 71% at University of Minnesota-Rochester. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?
University of Minnesota-Rochester is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,744 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $15,291 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.
What is the full cost of attendance at Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Minnesota-Rochester?
Before aid, Southwest Minnesota State University costs about $24,757 a year and University of Minnesota-Rochester about $28,904. 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, Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?
University of Minnesota-Rochester. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $6,116 there, against about $10,559 at Southwest Minnesota State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?
Southwest Minnesota State University is the larger of the two, with about 2,315 undergraduates against 568 at University of Minnesota-Rochester.
Does Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester have a better graduation rate?
University of Minnesota-Rochester has the higher graduation rate, at about 57% against 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Do graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester earn more?
University of Minnesota-Rochester alumni earn more on average: a median of about $69,020 ten years after enrolling, against about $51,342 for Southwest Minnesota State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Minnesota-Rochester require SAT or ACT scores?
Southwest Minnesota State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Minnesota-Rochester is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Minnesota-Rochester look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 935–1102 at Southwest Minnesota State University and 950–1380 at University of Minnesota-Rochester. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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