Northwestern College vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Northwestern College vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or USD? 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 University of South Dakota than Northwestern College ($19,133 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 5% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,356 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 289.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $27,278 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 183.7% higher at Northwestern College than at University of South Dakota (about $23,768 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 318.6% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($23,537 vs. $5,623).

Northwestern College vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or USD? 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 USD and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 130 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 24.1% at USD.

Northwestern College vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and USD? 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 University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $92 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($258 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 70%)

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.