Saint Benedict vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern State University is larger than Saint Benedict based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 1,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Saint Benedict is located in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Saint Benedict 11:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Saint Benedict vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Benedict or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than Saint Benedict ($15,990 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 15.5% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($10,600 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 530.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $46,911 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 366.7% higher at Saint Benedict than at Northern State University (about $43,809 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict than at Northern State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 521.8% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($40,048 vs. $6,441).

Saint Benedict vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Benedict or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and Saint Benedict.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 70 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming Saint Benedict students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 20/27; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Benedict - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Saint Benedict (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Saint Benedict vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Saint Benedict vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Benedict and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $1,944 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($24,399 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($252 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.