Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
University of Missouri-Kansas City Northern Illinois WSU Truman State Missouri State University-Springfield Central University of North Dakota University of Missouri-Columbia Minnesota State University-Mankato Arkansas State University UALR NDSU| Northwest Missouri State University | Minot State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Northwest | MSU | ||
| Location | Maryville, MO | Minot, ND | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 9,664 | 2,741 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #907 | #662 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nwmissouri.edu | minotstateu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northwest | MSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,442 | $7,168 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,884 | $7,168 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,788 | $8,058 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,497 | $12,349 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,700 | $5,569 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 96% | 91% |
Admission |
Northwest | MSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,834 | 745 | ||
| Admitted | 5,871 | 538 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 85.9% | 72.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 17.6% | 67.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.45 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/23 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 970/1200 | 930/1180 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jun 30, 2026 |
Academics |
Northwest | MSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 19:1 | 11:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Northwest | MSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 49% | 34% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,200 | $45,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 63% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $18,725 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $193 |
Diversity |
Northwest | MSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 14% | 3% | ||
| % Women | 29% | 7% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 67% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 5% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 2% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 6% | 13% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
Northwest | MSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 67% | 62% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 29% | ||
Campus |
Northwest | MSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northwest Missouri State University is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (9,664 students vs. 2,741 students)
Northwest vs. MSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northwest or MSU?
- Minot State University is 11.3% more expensive to attend than Northwest for in-state tuition ($7,168.00 vs. $6,442.00)
- Out of state tuition is 79.7% higher at Northwest than Minot State University ($12,884.00 vs. $7,168.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Minot State University than Northwest ($12,349 vs. $15,497)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minot State University are 46.3% lower than costs at Northwest Missouri State University ($8,058 vs. $11,788)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than Minot State University (96% vs. 91%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 56.2% larger than aid received Minot State University ($8,700 vs. $5,569)
Northwest vs. MSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northwest or MSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MSU or Northwest .
- The average SAT score at Northwest Missouri State University (1047) is 48 points higher than at MSU (999)
- Incoming Northwest students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at MSU (22)
- Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at MSU (3.42)
- Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than MSU (72.2%)
Northwest vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northwest or MSU? 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 MSU and Northwest.
- The graduation rate at Northwest is higher than Minot State University (49% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from Minot State University earn on average $4,000 more per year than Northwest graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $41,200)
- Minot State University students graduate with a $6,275 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwest graduates. ($18,725 vs. $25,000)
- MSU graduates are paying $65 less per month on federal student loans than Northwest graduates. ($193 vs. $258)
- More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/