Lander University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lander University in Greenwood, SC with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lander University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (4,378 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lander University is located in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Lander University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lander University 18:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Lander University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lander University 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 Lander University than NSU ($15,520 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 12.4% lower than at Lander University ($10,600 vs. $12,100).
• Lander University is 32.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,855 more per year; $11,700.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.3% higher at Lander University than at Northern State University (about $9,353 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lander University than at Northern State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 89.9% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($12,232 vs. $6,441).

Lander University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lander University 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 Lander University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at Lander University (1060).
• Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Lander University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lander University 950/1178; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lander University 16/23; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lander University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Lander University (81.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Lander University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Lander University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lander University 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 Lander University's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Lander University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $2,601 lower median loan debt than Lander University graduates ($24,399 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lander University graduates ($252 vs. $279).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 46%)

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.