Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA 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 Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College 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 South Dakota State University than Northwestern College ($19,932 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 6.6% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,176 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 294.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $27,411 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186.6% higher at Northwestern College than at South Dakota State University (about $23,901 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at South Dakota State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 426.1% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($23,537 vs. $4,474).

Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or South Dakota State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Dakota State University and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at South Dakota State University (1150) is 60 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northwestern College 940/1240; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northwestern College 20/27; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and South Dakota State University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Northwestern College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than South Dakota State University's (60%).
• Graduates from South Dakota State University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $24 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($25,092 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, South Dakota State University and Northwestern College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($259 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota State University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 77%)

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.