
SMSU, a public institution, offers a variety of educational opportunities, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, it offers a rural setting for students to study in. Nearly six thousand students enroll at SMSU per year.
Here is a list of some of the popular programs SMSU offers:
- Education
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Recreation And Fitness Studies
- Psychology
- Biological And Biomedical Sciences
Students applying for admission are usually required to submit an application, transcripts, test scores and any requested letters of recommendations, which will then be reviewed by the admissions office. Most students at SMSU scored within the range of 19 - 24 on the ACT. SMSU accepts approximately 80% of applicants annually. Of those applicants accepted, nearly 35% enrolled. More information on admissions can be found at smsu.edu.
The cost of undergraduate tuition is approximately $8,500 annually. Tuition prices may change for any number of reasons, and therefore students should use the school's tuition calculator to identify their personalized cost estimate of attendance. Housing may be available for students that would like to live on-campus at an estimated cost of $4,600 for the year. Financial aid may be provided to students that meet the necessary requirements by way of scholarships, grants, and loans.
Southwest Minnesota State University offers a variety of athletic programs overseen by the NCAA. Athletic programs that are available include:
- Baseball (NCAA Division II)
- Basketball (NCAA Division II)
- Football (NCAA Division II)
Students who would like to see more about Southwest Minnesota State University can visit their website at www.smsu.edu.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may give an overview of the candidates Southwest Minnesota State University accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at Southwest Minnesota State University is around 7,300 students. The enrollment breakdown by academic level is 6% enrolling as graduate students and 94% as undergraduate students.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $14,800. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $20 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Tuition is estimated to be around $7,900 per year for in-state and nonresident students
- Part time students pay in the range of $230 to $280 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The information below lists the financial aid types students are receiving. Also shown are the percent of students receiving aid and the average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 94% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 88% | $4,321 |
Receiving Student Loans | 74% | $7,503 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Southwest Minnesota State University may provide services including:- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Helping students find work after graduation
- Child care
Graduation Rates
Southwest Minnesota State University has an overall graduation rate which is approximately 43%.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 22% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 18% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 3% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Music Program
- * Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation (since 1986)
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- * Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (since 2015)
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- * Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (since 2015)
Intercollegiate Athletics
Southwest Minnesota State University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division II (with football) classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
- Basketball (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
- Football (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Southwest Minnesota State University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Agricultural Business (A, B)
- Agronomy and Crop Science (B)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, M)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Accounting (A, B)
- Hospitality Administration and Management (B)
- Finance (B)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (B)
- Radio and Television (B)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (B)
Education
- Education (B, M)
- Early Childhood Education (B)
- Elementary Education (B)
- Physical Education (B, M)
- Special Education (B, M)
- Mathematics Teacher Education (B)
- Speech Teacher Education (B)
- Education, Teaching of Individuals with Autism (C)
- Art Teacher Education (B)
- Chemistry Teacher Education (B)
- English and Language Arts Teacher Education
- Spanish Language Teacher Education
- Biology Teacher Education
- Music Teacher Education
- Health Teacher Education
- ESL
English Language and Literature
- Creative Writing (B)
- Technical and Business Writing (B)
- General Literature
Foreign Languages and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (B)
- Medical Technology (B)
History
- History (B)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B)
Natural Resources and Conservation
Personal and Culinary Services
- Culinary Science (B)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B)
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry (B)
Psychology
- Psychology (B)
Public Administration and Social Services
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Law and Justice Administration (B)
- Fire Services Administration
Social Sciences
- Sociology (B)
- Political Science (B)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Art Studies (B)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B)
- Music (B)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Southwest Minnesota State University.
- Dakota State University in Madison, SD (73 miles away)
- University of Minnesota - Morris in Morris, MN (82 miles away)
- University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD (129 miles away)
- Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN (137 miles away)
- Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD (150 miles away)
Also, check out our college lists below, which can help students compare schools to one another:
- Compare schools and see a list of all colleges in Minnesota
- See all public colleges in Minnesota