Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Southwest Minnesota State University
Set amid big prairie skies, this public university has a reputation for teaching-first academics across the liberal arts, business, education, and the sciences, with plenty of applied work in labs and studios. Classrooms, a well stocked library, performance spaces, and a busy wellness center anchor campus life, while tutoring, advising, and counseling help students find their footing. It's a friendly, down-to-earth place where people hold doors and professors stick around after class.
Life outside class stretches from intramural teams and outdoor trails to student media, theatre, and cultural groups, with Mustang spirit showing up on game days and in low key traditions. Career prep leans practical through internships and employer visits, with community projects often in the mix and alumni who pick up the phone. In Marshall, students tap a small-city scene that's close-knit yet active, with opportunities in healthcare, schools, and agribusiness plus coffee shops and community events that make it easy to plug in.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) offers 47 degree programs across 19 major academic fields, graduating approximately 601 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (12 programs, 217 graduates), Business (6 programs, 106 graduates), Health (1 programs, 57 graduates), Kinesiology (2 programs, 37 graduates) and Public Services (1 programs, 32 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (12 programs, 217 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education | 116 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Elementary Education | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Special Education Teaching | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
13.1314 |
| Early Childhood Education | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Post-Master's
|
13.0401 |
| Early Childhood Special Education Teaching | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1015 |
| Health Education Teacher Preparation | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1307 |
| Art Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1302 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1305 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1401 |
| Special Education Administration | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0402 |
Business (6 programs, 106 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 14 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Marketing Management | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Finance, General | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Hospitality Management | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
| Meeting and Event Planning | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0907 |
Health (1 programs, 57 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 37 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
31.0505 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0501 |
Public Services (1 programs, 32 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0701 |
Computer & IT (3 programs, 24 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0199 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
11.1003 |
Psychology (2 programs, 23 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Community Psychology | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2802 |
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 19 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 13 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
| General Studies | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
24.0102 |
Communication (2 programs, 13 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0101 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0701 |
Security & Safety (1 programs, 13 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0103 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU)
How much does it cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU)?
The annual tuition at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) is $10,304 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $25,712 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,666 and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Southwest Minnesota State University offer?
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) offers 47 academic programs across 19 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (12 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (6 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (1 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (2 programs)
- Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) has an 68.9% acceptance rate and a 20.3% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 2,630
- Students admitted: 1,813
- Students enrolled: 368
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) provides financial aid to 5% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $7,455 and average loans of $7,627.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,942
- State/Local grants: $4,114
- Institutional grants: $3,755
- Federal loans: $5,426
The university supports 290 students with grants and 175 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Southwest Minnesota State University graduates?
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) graduates earn a median salary of $43,282 after 6 years and $51,342 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $35,692 (25th percentile) to $69,380 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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