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
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%