Northwest vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Missouri State University is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (9,152 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Missouri State University 16:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Northwest vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest or Dakota State? 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 Northwest Missouri State University than Dakota State ($16,790 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 20.7% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($9,742 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $957 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at Northwest than at Dakota State University (about $4,568 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at Dakota State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 69.4% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($9,101 vs. $5,371).

Northwest vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State and Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 240 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming Dakota State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 19/24; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwest - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Northwest vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Northwest vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest and Dakota State? 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).

• Northwest Missouri State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Dakota State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More Dakota State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 63%)

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.