IU Northwest vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

IU Northwest vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University ($5,745 vs. $11,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 11.1% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($10,972 vs. $12,340).
• Saginaw Valley State University is 53.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $4,506 more per year; $12,930.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.5% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Indiana University Northwest (about $7,639 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Indiana University Northwest (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 62.3% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($13,512 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University and IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Northwest (1050) is the same as at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming IU Northwest students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Saginaw Valley State University (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• IU Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

IU Northwest vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest and Saginaw Valley State University? 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).

• Saginaw Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $1,970 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($25,030 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU Northwest graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Saginaw Valley State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.