Northwest vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwest Missouri State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,152 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Missouri State University 16:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Northwest vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest or NSU? 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 Northern State University than Northwest ($15,990 vs. $16,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 13.7% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($10,600 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 20% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,766 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45% higher at Northwest than at Northern State University (about $5,377 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Northwest Missouri State University (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 41.3% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($9,101 vs. $6,441).

Northwest vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwest Missouri State University (1080) is 10 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming Northwest students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 19/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwest - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Northwest vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Northwest vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest and NSU? 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 Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $601 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($24,399 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($252 vs. $258).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.