Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) vs Wayne State College
Southwest Minnesota State University and Wayne State College, both public institutions in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, Minnesota, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to Wayne State College's 79%. With a larger student body, Southwest Minnesota State University offers a more diverse range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like Business Administration and Elementary Education. Wayne State College, situated in Wayne, Nebraska, excels in fields such as Biology and Psychology. While Southwest Minnesota State University has a slightly higher graduation rate (58%), Wayne State College offers a more affordable tuition rate. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover additional differences and similarities between these two institutions, helping you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
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![]() Southwest Minnesota State University |
![]() Wayne State College |
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Overview |
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Location | Marshall, Minnesota | Wayne, Nebraska |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 63.0% | 72.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.0% | Open Admission |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 1,672 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,522 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 421 | |
Yield rate | 27.7% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | Not required |
High school GPA | Not required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $22,718 | $20,822 |
Average net price | $14,061 | $14,428 |
Tuition | $8,230 | $5,700 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,426
Meal plan:
$3,790
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Room/dormitory:
$4,130
Meal plan:
$4,370
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $7,101 |
94.0%
Average amount $6,265 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
67.0%
Average amount $5,124 |
53.0%
Average amount $4,910 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $8,087 |
4.0%
Average amount $9,336 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,556
Men 38.6% Women 61.4% |
3,766
Men 41.0% Women 59.0% |
Graduate students |
430
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
814
Men 35.0% Women 65.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 15.0% |
International students | 2.5% | 2.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,034 | 1,556 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Nebraska Iowa South Dakota Minnesota Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.8% | 50.0% |
Dropout rate | 20.7% | 14.1% |
Transferred out | 29.7% | 34.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Hospitality Administration/Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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