IU Northwest vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IU Northwest vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest or SFASU? 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 SFASU ($5,745 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 16.5% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($10,972 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 32.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $2,704 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at SFASU than at Indiana University Northwest (about $615 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephen F Austin State University than at Indiana University Northwest (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 28.4% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($10,694 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest or SFASU? 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 SFASU and IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin 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 SFASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SFASU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

IU Northwest vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest and SFASU? 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephen F Austin State University graduates have a $30 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Stephen F Austin State University and IU Northwest graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.