Southwest Minnesota State University
Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, a small city in southwestern Minnesota. The campus provides a close-knit atmosphere with a focus on undergraduate education. SMSU is organized into two colleges, one focusing on liberal arts and sciences, and the other on business and professional fields. The university is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Southwest Minnesota State University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 11% of students receive Pell Grants; 15% take federal loans.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $9,440 | $37,760 |
| $30K – $48K | $11,263 | $45,052 |
| $48K – $75K | $12,810 | $51,240 |
| $75K – $110K | $16,813 | $67,252 |
| $110K+ | $19,513 | $78,052 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $10,304 | $41,216 |
Programs at Southwest Minnesota State University
12 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Compare across schools → |
86
|
$71,933/yr | High | 19.6x |
| Finance Compare across schools → |
72
|
$47,734/yr | Very High | 14.1x |
| Business Administration Compare across schools → |
70
|
$49,245/yr | High | 14.2x |
| Agricultural Business Compare across schools → |
62
|
$49,521/yr | High | 12.4x |
| Marketing Compare across schools → |
60
|
$48,939/yr | Very High | 12.3x |
| Subject-Area Teaching Compare across schools → |
59
|
$43,875/yr | High | 9.6x |
| Teacher Education Compare across schools → |
56
|
$41,333/yr | High | 10.4x |
| Social Work Compare across schools → |
54
|
$46,368/yr | Moderate | 10.6x |
| Special Education and Teaching Compare across schools → |
46
|
$44,510/yr | High | 9.8x |
| Psychology Compare across schools → |
43
|
$33,099/yr | High | 11.4x |
| Health & Physical Education Compare across schools → |
43
|
$32,802/yr | Moderate | 11.1x |
| Biology Compare across schools → |
34
|
$31,765/yr | High | 6.7x |