Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 237500
- Phone: (651) 846-1600
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
ACCEPTANCE RATE
63.91%FINANCIAL AID RATE
92%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
15:1Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
Virtual Tour of Campus

College Video Tour
School Map
Biology Degree
The biology program at Southwest Minnesota State University prepares students for careers as laboratory technicians, scientific company sales representatives, animal technicians, greenhouse curators, environmental consultants, and more. The program focuses on the basic program of biology or the biological sciences. Program courses include: general biology, genetics, molecular ecology, and natural history and biodiversity. Get more details below including other Minnesota colleges that offer biology degrees.
Learn more by requesting information now!

Southwest Minnesota State University
235 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul, MN
SMSU, a public institution, offers a variety of educational opportunities, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, it offers a rural setting for students to study in. Nearly six thousand students enroll at SMSU per year.
Here is a list of some of the popular programs SMSU offers:
- Education
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Recreation And Fitness Studies
- Psychology
- Biological And Biomedical Sciences
Students applying for admission are usually required to submit an application, transcripts, test scores and any requested letters of recommendations, which will then be reviewed by the admissions office. Most students at SMSU scored within the range of 19 - 24 on the ACT. SMSU accepts approximately 80% of applicants annually. Of those applicants accepted, nearly 35% enrolled. More information on admissions can be found at smsu.edu.
The cost of undergraduate tuition is approximately $8,500 annually. Tuition prices may change for any number of reasons, and therefore students should use the school's tuition calculator to identify their personalized cost estimate of attendance. Housing may be available for students that would like to live on-campus at an estimated cost of $4,600 for the year. Financial aid may be provided to students that meet the necessary requirements by way of scholarships, grants, and loans.
Southwest Minnesota State University offers a variety of athletic programs overseen by the NCAA. Athletic programs that are available include:
- Baseball (NCAA Division II)
- Basketball (NCAA Division II)
- Football (NCAA Division II)
Students who would like to see more about Southwest Minnesota State University can visit their website at www.smsu.edu.
Students Enrolled in the Biology Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Southwest Minnesota State University offers a bachelor's degree program in biology.
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 5 |
Female | 9 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Asian | 2 |
Hispanic | 1 |
White | 8 |
Non Resident Alien | 3 |
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
Career Options for Graduates
Students who have completed the Biology program at Southwest Minnesota State University, have entered into some of these more popular career paths listed below:Natural Sciences Managers
Description
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, natural sciences managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.3% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
- Total Employment: 900
- Average Hourly Rate: $56.95
- Average Annual Salary: $118460
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Description
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may give an overview of the candidates Southwest Minnesota State University accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Southwest Minnesota State University may provide services including:
- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Helping students find work after graduation
- Child care
Intercollegiate Athletics
Southwest Minnesota State University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division II with football classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
- Basketball (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
- Track and Field (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
- Football (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Wrestling