1967
Marshall, MN

About Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare students for success personally and professionally. SMSU offers associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as professional certificates. 

SMSU values are:

  • Discovery through innovative teaching, research, and other high-impact experiences
  • Civic engagement and strategic partnerships
  • Developing broadly educated and well-rounded leaders

Southwest Minnesota State University prepares students to meet the various challenges of this century as informed and engaged citizens in their local and global communities. SMSU’s comprehensive degree programs, taught in the liberal arts tradition, are tailored to students’ academic and professional development experiences locally and worldwide. The flexible online programs at SMSU provide the same resources, support, and education that all students receive. All students qualify for in-state low rate tuition, even if studies are completed online.

Accreditation & Licensing

Southwest Minnesota State University is accredited by:

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Type:

4-year, Public

Highest Level Offered:

Post-master's certificate

Religious Affiliation:

Not applicable

Enrollment:

Undergraduate: 8,300 ; Graduate: 643

Percent of Fully Online Students:

Undergraduate: 12% ; Graduate: 39%

Graduation Rate:

45%

Transfer Rate:

36%

Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:

$51,342

Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):

$20,500

Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:

24%

Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:

$7,386

Yellow Ribbon Program:

Yes

Credit for Military Training:

Yes

Online Programs offered by Southwest Minnesota State University

Check Program Availability

All Programs

Art & Liberal Arts

Bachelor of Arts in English
Bachelor of Arts in English / Creative Writing
Bachelor of Arts in English / Literature
Bachelor of Arts in History
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing & Communication
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Education / English

Business

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Bachelor of Science in Finance / Corporate Finance
Bachelor of Science in Finance / Financial Planning & Investments
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management / Hotel & Events Management
Bachelor of Science in Management
Bachelor of Science in Management / Entrepreneurship
Bachelor of Science in Management / General Management
Bachelor of Science in Management / Human Resource Management
Bachelor of Science in Management / Supply Chain Management
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Bachelor of Science in Marketing / Digital Marketing
Bachelor of Science in Marketing / General Marketing
Bachelor of Science in Marketing / Sales
Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration / Entrepreneurship
Master of Business Administration / General Management
Master of Business Administration / Hospitality Management
Master of Business Administration / International Business & Leadership
Master of Business Administration / Marketing
Master of Business Administration / Project Management

Criminal Justice, Safety & Law

Master of Business Administration / Cybersecurity
Popular degree
Master of Science in Cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Special Education
Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies
Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies / Early Childhood
Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies / Elementary Education
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education
Bachelor of Science in Special Education / Academic Behavioral Strategist
Bachelor of Science in Teaching English as a Second Language
Master of Science in Education
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Education / K-12 Reading
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Education / Mathematics
Master of Science in Education / Sports Leadership
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Education / Teaching English as a Second Language
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Education / Teaching, Learning & Leadership
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Education / Technology for Training & Learning
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Physical Education / Coaching of Sport
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Special Education
Master of Science in Special Education / Academic Behavioral Strategist
Master of Science in Special Education / Autism Spectrum Disorder
Master of Science in Special Education / Developmental Disabilities
Master of Science in Special Education / Early Childhood Special Education
Master of Science in Special Education / Emotional Behavior Disorders

Healthcare

Bachelor of Arts in Community Psychology & Health Promotion
Bachelor of Science in Management / Healthcare Administration

Math & Science

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Master of Science in Nursing / Nurse Educator

Psychology & Human Services

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Filters

Search:

Categories:

Levels:

Advanced:

Frequently Asked Questions About Southwest Minnesota State University

Is Southwest Minnesota State University accredited?

Yes. Southwest Minnesota State University is institutionally accredited by Higher Learning Commission.

How many online programs does Southwest Minnesota State University offer?

Southwest Minnesota State University offers 61 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.

What degree levels does Southwest Minnesota State University offer?

Southwest Minnesota State University offers both bachelor's and master's level programs.

How should students contact admissions at Southwest Minnesota State University?

Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.

Is Southwest Minnesota State University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?

Roughly speaking, Southwest Minnesota State University falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.

How quickly can I enroll at Southwest Minnesota State University?

Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.

What should transfer students ask Southwest Minnesota State University first?

The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.

What GPA do most Southwest Minnesota State University programs require?

Most listed programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Is Southwest Minnesota State University military friendly?

Southwest Minnesota State University shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.

How can students request information from Southwest Minnesota State University through GetEducated?

Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.

What documents are most commonly required for Southwest Minnesota State University applications?

Most listed programs ask for Criminal Background Check, Occupational License, Official College Transcript(s), and Resume/CV. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.

Does Southwest Minnesota State University accept life experience credit?

Southwest Minnesota State University accepts life experience credit, but qualifying can be harder than expected and fees may still apply. Check Transfer Options to confirm what applies to your program.

Are Southwest Minnesota State University programs fully online or mixed?

Southwest Minnesota State University includes 100% Online and Mostly Online options, so students should check the format of their specific program before applying.

What kinds of online programs does Southwest Minnesota State University offer?

Southwest Minnesota State University has online program options in areas such as Business, Education, Art & Liberal Arts, and Psychology & Human Services; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.

Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Southwest Minnesota State University?

For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.

Do any Southwest Minnesota State University programs have state authorization limitations?

State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.

How often can students start at Southwest Minnesota State University?

Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Southwest Minnesota State University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.

How should working adults compare Southwest Minnesota State University programs?

Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.

What should students compare before choosing a Southwest Minnesota State University program?

Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.

Featured Ranking Reports

Southwest Minnesota State University is featured in 8 of our ranking reports!

GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.

We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.

Geographic and Educational Overview

Google Map

Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Minnesota

Minnesota at a Glance:

State flag of MN
Saint Paul
5,706,494
86,936 sq mi
12
33
30
$13,800.00

Top Incentives in Minnesota:

Top Career Pathways in Minnesota:

Healthcare Innovation
  • Entry Level: Healthcare Analyst ($65,000)
  • Mid Level: Innovation Manager ($95,000)
  • Senior Level: Healthcare Director ($150,000+)
  • Required Education: BS Healthcare Administration
  • Certifications: ACHE, CPHIMS
* Data is approximate and may be AI-enhanced