MLC vs. NDSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 878 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Martin Luther College is located in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
• Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Martin Luther College 10:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

MLC vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MLC or NDSU? 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 North Dakota State University Main Campus than MLC ($15,596 vs. $18,974).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 20.4% lower than at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($7,900 vs. $9,928).
• Martin Luther College is 63.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NDSU (about $7,010 more per year; $18,120.00 vs. $11,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.9% higher at MLC than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (about $2,356 more per year; $18,120.00 vs. $15,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Martin Luther College than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Martin Luther College students is 60.3% larger than aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students ($10,276 vs. $6,409).

MLC vs. NDSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MLC or NDSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NDSU and MLC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Martin Luther College (1170) is 80 points higher than at NDSU (1090).
• Incoming MLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at NDSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Martin Luther College 1078/1256; North Dakota State University Main Campus 968/1216.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Martin Luther College 22/27; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MLC - Test optional; NDSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman MLC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at NDSU (3.53).
• NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than MLC (87.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at MLC vs. 32% at NDSU.

MLC vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MLC and NDSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than North Dakota State University Main Campus's (54%).
• Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,600 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Martin Luther College graduates have a $175 lower median loan debt than NDSU graduates ($23,125 vs. $23,300).
• Among borrowers, MLC graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDSU graduates ($239 vs. $240).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NDSU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.