North Central University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Should I go to North Central University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Central University or Southwest Minnesota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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North Central University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University comparison
North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University College 3 College 4
North Central University
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Overview

North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Minneapolis, MN Marshall, MN
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 992 6,930
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation Assemblies of God Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northcentral.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $27,140 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $27,140 $8,840
Room & Board $8,940 $9,258
Avg Net Price $23,374 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $17,481 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 94%

Admission

North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 544 1,558
Admitted 494 1,427
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 91.6%
Enrolled % 34.8% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 950/1148 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

Academics

North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (36%)
  • Education (11%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 40% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,300 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $258 $224

Diversity

North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 47% 38%
% Women 53% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 80%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 33% 74%
% Out-of-State 47% 20%

Campus

North Central University Southwest Minnesota State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than North Central University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 992 students)

North Central University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central University or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • North Central University is 207% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($27,140.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 207% higher at North Central University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($27,140.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than North Central University ($15,004 vs. $23,374)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central University are 3.6% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,940 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Central University than Southwest Minnesota State University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central University students is 136.6% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($17,481 vs. $7,389)

North Central University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or North Central University .

  • The average SAT score at North Central University (1024) is 16 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming North Central University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman North Central University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than North Central University (90.8%)

North Central University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Central University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southwest Minnesota State University and North Central University.

  • The graduation rate at North Central University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (40% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn on average $7,900 more per year than North Central University graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $33,300)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $3,322 lower median federal student loan debt than North Central University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $25,000)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than North Central University graduates. ($224 vs. $258)
  • More North Central University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/