SMSU Description

One of the leading public universities, and one that has repeatedly received high rankings, Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) offers traditional and innovative academics and a diverse selection of student life opportunities.

A public, four-year university in Marshall, Minnesota, SMSU has been recognized numerous times as a top public university by U.S. News and World Report.

SMSU’s academics run the gamut of more traditional liberal arts and science majors like English, Foreign Languages, History and Psychology. Other, more specific, career-oriented programs include Agribusiness Management, Education, Finance, Hospitality Management and Social Work. Fine and performing arts programs are also offered in Visual Art, Theatre Arts and Music. SMSU offers master’s degrees in Education and Business Administration as well.

Catering to students of all ages, SMSU offers its senior college, which gives senior citizens the opportunity to take non-credit classes of personal interest.

Student life at SMSU has programs intended to appeal to all interests, including those related to the arts. There is a campus museum, student art gallery, a literary journal and a live theatre. There is also a fitness center, a planetarium, a campus religious center, and several student-run television and radio stations.

Freshman admission is based in part on grades and SAT or ACT scores. Students who have graduated at the top of their class do not need to submit test scores.

Financial aid helps eligible students to cover the cost of tuition and room and board.

Quick Facts

Location

Midwest

Setting

Small Town Setting

Type

Public

Size

Large (5,000 to 10,000 Undergrad)

Mascot

Mustangs

Website

www.smsu.edu

On-Campus Housing Available

Yes

In-State Tuition

$6,932

Out-of-State Tuition

$6,932

Selectivity

Selective

Enrollment

6,740

SMSU Students

Full-Time Undergrad Students
6,188
Freshman Class
461
Total Students (Undergrads & Graduate Students)
6,740

Undergraduate vs. Graduate

Undergraduate
91%
Graduate
9%

Full-Time vs. Part-time Students

Full-Time
98%
Part-Time
2%

Students Coming From In-State vs. Out-of-State

In-State
73%
Out-of-State
27%

Gender of Students

Women
53%
Men
47%

Ethnic Diversity

African-American
1%
Asian
1%
Caucasian
88%
Other
10%

Students State Origin

Minnesota
73%
Iowa
6%
South Dakota
6%
Illinois
2%
Wisconsin
2%
Other
11%

International Students

International
3%
Domestic
97%