Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 42.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 44.1%
- Retention Rate
- 69.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $51,342
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 65.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $217/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,020 | $13,875 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $55,964 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $51,482 | $17,448 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $49,729 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $47,729 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $43,798 | $21,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Bachelor | $42,123 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $24,883 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $39,729 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,729 | $20,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $29,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $38,829 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $37,424 | $19,747 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,786 | $21,977 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor | $35,060 |
Outcomes Overview
Southwest Minnesota State graduates earn a median of $51,342 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $20,500. That creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 40%, well below the concerning 100% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $217 represent about 5% of gross income for typical graduates. The 98.3% employment rate shows that employers value SMSU degrees, even if starting salaries at $44,949 lag behind larger universities. Many graduates find work in education, business, and healthcare throughout rural Minnesota and the broader Midwest region. The 65.94% loan repayment rate indicates some graduates struggle with payments, but the relatively low debt burden keeps financial stress manageable. This represents an average return on investment for students seeking affordable education.