Metropolitan State University vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (6,660 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University 15:1; Northland College 5:1.

Metropolitan State University vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University or Northland College? 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 Metropolitan State University than Northland College ($16,615 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 26.9% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($11,600 vs. $15,864).
• Northland College is 351.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $34,563 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 351.2% higher at Northland College than at Metropolitan State University (about $34,563 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at Metropolitan State University (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 293.2% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($33,572 vs. $8,538).

Metropolitan State University vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University or Northland College? 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 Northland College and Metropolitan State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Metropolitan State University vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Metropolitan State University vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University and Northland College? 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).

• Northland College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $8,951 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($17,992 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($186 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

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.