Founded in 1963, Southwest Minnesota State University. is a Public college. Located in Minnesota, which is a city setting in Minnesota, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 7,007 full time undergraduate students, and 488 full time graduate students.
The Southwest Minnesota State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 16:1. There are 102 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Southwest Minnesota State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
54%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
20
SAT Range
765-1075
ACT Range
18-23
Admissions at SMSU are considered Selective, with ,15% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 26 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Southwest Minnesota State University.
8%
“We”re apathetic”
17%
“We know about current events and vote”
75%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
8%
“Sometimes, but not often”
75%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
25%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
75%
“I feel extremely safe”
18%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
27%
“We bought the gear”
55%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
75%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
33%
“They keep regular office hours”
67%
“They”re always available”
67%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
25%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
8%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
58%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
8%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
83%
“There might be people who do”
8%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
8%
“We”re apathetic”
17%
“We know about current events and vote”
75%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
8%
“Sometimes, but not often”
75%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
25%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
75%
“I feel extremely safe”
18%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
27%
“We bought the gear”
55%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
75%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
33%
“They keep regular office hours”
67%
“They”re always available”
67%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
25%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
8%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
53 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
43 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
60 Students rated campus food 2.9 stars. 8 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
63 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
63 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 60 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
62 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 24 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
62 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
63 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.
Southwest Minnesota State University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Southwest Minnesota State University?
14 Students rated Southwest Minnesota State University
Zander
02/12/2024
I really like the small feeling of the campus and everything was in great distance so I feel like I wont get lost and everyone from the tour guide and the admissions were very friendly. I enjoyed it very much and plan to attend there in the winter of 2025
Dinara
07/31/2019
I think this school is a great option for students who want a small college. It has several activities scheduled per week and there are always club members around to encourage you to go. The staff are all friendly and want to get to know you. Since it is a small school, fellow students will notice if you're in class or not, or if you're late. This makes you have a higher ambition to always be on time and not miss classes.
Tayte
07/26/2019
I found this university to be very helpful to me as a Freshman. When I had questions, someone was always available to answer them or get me to the person who could. The other students no matter what year they were in always greeted and helped me as a new student.
Holly
05/22/2019
They are a very sports focused college. They are in a very distant part on Minnesota that doesn't have any major town by it. They are kind of in the middle of no where. They have fairly good academic program. The facilities are fairly up-to-date. The dorms were relatively roomy, very industrial looking. The food was good, and you had a variety of options.
brett
05/06/2019
It's a very homey and beautiful university. Full of helpful people wanting to see you better yourself while striving to succeed at the same time. The faculty working at the college challenge you to challenge yourself, and to better your education. They want you to get everything you can out of college while you are attending.
Kate
03/21/2019
This school is a very welcoming facility to everyone that comes into the building. We notice smiles on everyone's face and as long as I was attending there for the day, no one had a frown on their face. The faculty was very helpful and was around whenever we needed them. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants to feel welcome and enjoy their visit. Great place to be!
Jocelyn
03/19/2019
I believe that there is a wonderful atmosphere on the SMSU campus. The Faculty seems to genuinely care for the students and their success. Marshall doesn't always have a lot to do but there is almost always something going on on campus. There are lots of clubs and organizations to be a part of on campus.
stanze
01/30/2019
The campus is just small enough you won't get lost and just big enough to meet new people every week. Classes are small and intimate, you get to know your classmates and prof really well. Dorm life is good because there is truly a community and tuns of things people do together. Different groups and people will host events and activities each week, there are also many many clubs you can join.
Abbie
07/11/2018
I think southwest is a great place to go when you want a small college with small class rooms. Our dorms are fantastic as is the res life. Everyone is always here to help the students whenever they need it. There are always resident assistants there to help the residents whenever they need something. The college food is exceptional. There are a variety of options to pick from and the professors are always available to help you 24/7
Antonio
03/28/2018
I think it’s a great school to attend. The class sizes are not big and the Professors always have office hours. I don’t party but to get an education it’s a wonderful place. The weather is beautiful in the spring but however the snow becomes depressing but it’s Minnesota so what do you expect. There slots of clubs and organizations to get involved in on the campus and many chances to make a difference
Amber
08/21/2017
Excellent. I love Southwest Minnesota State University the professors and staff are a family with students and provide many resources to help students thrive and achieve their goals. Southwest in my home and I highly recommend students to check out Southwest it is "Where you Belong".
Megan
06/12/2017
I really love SMSU! This was my first tour of colleges before I started and I fell in love with it the second I stepped on the grounds and I didn't even go to my other college options. Everyone there is so nice and the professors truly care about our education. I highly recommend this college.
Emily
11/24/2016
I feel really happy with the education I am getting at SMSU. SMSU costs a reasonable amount (around $8,000 a semester) and you definitely get your money's worth at SMSU. The class sizes are small (about 20 students) so you really get to know your classes. Also, your professors care about getting to know you as well. They have always been very friendly when I come to them for help. Also, even though the college is small there are many different clubs or opportunities for students to get involved. SMSU is also well-known for their outstanding education program. I would definitely recommend SMSU to education majors. Overall, SMSU has a very safe and friendly campus where you get a great education.
Elizabeth
10/12/2016
SMSU is a great place to be! The professors are always here to help, and they know you as a person not a number. We have lots of services on campus to help you prepare for life after college and adjust to life on campus. There are many amazing clubs to join and things to do as well.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Southwest Minnesota State University is 54%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Well, before you actually decide to attend a college, visit it first.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I had more instuction in to how to study for certain kinds of classes. Studiying for classes that are simply recall of facts versus classes that deal in processes require different study skills.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
The small class sizes make it great to get hands on attention from the teachers. You are able to meet with them after or before class and they are very friendly. You get a lot of focused attention from the faculty . There are a lot of tutors/study groups if needed.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
A small school in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to do in town, but students stay because there are a lot of really great people to hang out wiht all the time... and well, you learn stuff too.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
Their is a wide variety of students that attend this school. Their are students who are very focused on their future career, their are students who come to play sports and their are students who are very involved in drinking and having fun at college. I don't this their is a student that wouldn't fit in somewhere. I don't believe that this college is wrong for anyone. Any high school graduate looking to attend this college would find somewhere to belong.
The school is best known for its variety of educational oppertunites. From Early education, Business and administration, to Fine Arts and Humanities. The university offers various classes at allow for growth and knowledge in areas that the local communities are not always exposed to and that offers local students a chance to experiance global education without moving to each geographical location.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
88% of students attending Southwest Minnesota State University receive some sort of financial aid.
36% were awarded federal grants.68%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
