Northwest vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

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

South Dakota State University is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Missouri State University 16:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Northwest vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University ($16,790 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 17.1% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($10,176 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $1,312 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.2% higher at Northwest than at South Dakota State University (about $4,515 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at South Dakota State University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 103.4% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($9,101 vs. $4,474).

Northwest vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota State University (1150) is 70 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming South Dakota State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 19/24; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwest - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Northwest (3.45).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Northwest vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Northwest vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• South Dakota State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from South Dakota State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Missouri State University graduates have a $116 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, Northwest graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($258 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.