Hastings College vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hastings College in Hastings, NE 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 Hastings College based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 956 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hastings College is located in Hastings, NE (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Hastings College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hastings College 14:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Hastings College vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hastings College 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 Hastings College ($15,990 vs. $24,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 12% lower than at Hastings College ($10,600 vs. $12,050).
• Hastings College is 327% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $28,925 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 216.1% higher at Hastings College than at Northern State University (about $25,823 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hastings College than at Northern State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hastings College students is 320.9% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($27,107 vs. $6,441).

Hastings College vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hastings College 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 Hastings College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hastings College (1070) is the same as at NSU (1070).
• Incoming Hastings College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hastings College 960/1180; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hastings College 19/26; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hastings College - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hastings College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Hastings College (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at Hastings College vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Hastings College vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hastings College 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).

• Hastings College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Hastings College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $2,601 lower median loan debt than Hastings College graduates ($24,399 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hastings College graduates ($252 vs. $279).
• More Hastings College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.