Northwestern College vs. St. Cloud State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Cloud State University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (10,732 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Saint Cloud State University is in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Cloud State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Saint Cloud State University 18:1.

Northwestern College vs. St. Cloud State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or St. Cloud 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 Saint Cloud State University than Northwestern College ($14,735 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 2.8% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,596 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 258.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Cloud State University (about $26,465 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $10,245.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 258.3% higher at Northwestern College than at Saint Cloud State University (about $26,465 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $10,245.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Saint Cloud State University (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 234.5% larger than aid received by Saint Cloud State University students ($23,537 vs. $7,036).

Northwestern College vs. St. Cloud State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud State University and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Cloud State University (1140) is 50 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at St. Cloud State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Saint Cloud State University 1025/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Saint Cloud State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; St. Cloud State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at St. Cloud State University (3.4).
• St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 16.6% at St. Cloud State University.

Northwestern College vs. St. Cloud State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and St. Cloud 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).

• Northwestern College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Saint Cloud State University's (48%).
• Graduates from Saint Cloud State University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Cloud State University graduates have a $2,592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, St. Cloud State University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($232 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 67%)

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.