IU Northwest vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN 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 IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Northern State University 19:1.

IU Northwest vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than NSU ($5,745 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 3.4% lower than at Indiana University Northwest ($10,600 vs. $10,972).
• Northern State University is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $421 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.9% higher at IU Northwest than at Northern State University (about $10,864 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Indiana University Northwest (97% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Northwest students is 29.3% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($8,327 vs. $6,441).

IU Northwest vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IU Northwest 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: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 35.2% at NSU.

IU Northwest vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Northwest earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $631 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($24,399 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($252 vs. $258).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 33%)

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.