Southwest Minnesota State University

Non-profit

Private

Regional

Based in Marshall, the public Southwest Minnesota State University enrolls about 6,800 students annually, offering liberal arts and professional education primarily at the undergraduate level. The school offers dozens of bachelor's and associate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professional studies, including early childhood education, agriculture studies, indigenous nations and Dakota studies, public administration, and political science. SMSU also hosts multiple graduate programs in business administration and education. Students at all levels receive support from SMSU's student success and advising center, which offers academic counseling, degree planning, career connections, tutoring, and a variety of other services. Academic advisors support new students in their transition to college and assist with course and major selections. The school's advising center also hosts the Blue to Brown Connection Program, which supports transfer students from Minnesota West Community and Technical College on their path to a four-year degree.

Visit Site

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

51% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

91% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

85% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores:
Considered (not required)
High school transcript:
Required
High school rank:
Recommended
Letter of recommendation:
Required
High school GPA:
Required
Open admission:
No
Completion of college prep program:
Required
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL):
Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment: Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes

Credit for qualified life experience*: Implied no

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

Learning Environment

Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

92%

Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

12:1

Student to faculty ratio

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Programs

Doc

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

Education

English Language And Literature/Letters

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

Health Professions And Related Programs

History

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

Mathematics And Statistics

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Natural Resources And Conservation

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology

Philosophy And Religious Studies

Physical Sciences

Psychology

Public Administration And Social Service Professions

Social Sciences

Theology And Religious Vocations

Visual And Performing Arts