Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, Minnesota
Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution in Marshall, Minnesota with 2,045 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $10,304 compared with a Minnesota nursing-school average of $17,452. The school reports a graduation rate of 44.1%, median earnings of $51,342, and median federal debt of $20,500.
$10,304 is lower than the state average of $17,452.
44.1% is lower than the state average of 51.0%.
$51,342 is higher than the state average of $49,426.
About Southwest Minnesota State University
| Location | Marshall, Minnesota |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.smsu.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $10,304 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $10,304 |
| Total Enrollment | 2,045 |
| Acceptance Rate | 68.9% |
| Graduation Rate | 44.1% |
| Retention Rate | 69.6% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $51,342 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $217 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 10.8% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 15.3% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.4 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
10.8% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 15.3% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Southwest Minnesota State University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $41,216, while the reported median debt is $20,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $217. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (70.8%), followed by Hispanic students (8.2%) and Black students (7.9%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($51,342) divided by median debt ($20,500)