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Is Southwest Minnesota State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Southwest Minnesota State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Southwest Minnesota State sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $51,342 helps, but median debt of $20,500 plus yearly net price of $15,291 creates a tighter path. For context, Southwest Minnesota State's net price is about 13% above the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$14,839
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $1,685 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $7,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$15,291
Median earnings 10 years out
$51,342
Median debt at graduation
$20,500
Graduation rate
45%
At Southwest Minnesota State, a typical graduate carries about $20,500 in student debt and earns roughly $51,342 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $233 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Southwest Minnesota State is a public four year school in Marshall, MN. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Bemidji State
Bemidji, MN
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $15,261
Public 4-year
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN
Worth-It Score: 85/100
Median net price: $16,778
Public 4-year
Metropolitan State
Saint Paul, MN
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $16,863
Public 4-year
Winona State
Winona, MN
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $17,503
Public 4-year
Saint Cloud State
Saint Cloud, MN
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $13,529
Common questions about Southwest Minnesota State
The median net price at Southwest Minnesota State is $15,291 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Minnesota? See the most affordable public universities in Minnesota →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →