University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN with College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northwestern St Paul is larger than Saint Benedict based on total student enrollment (3,234 students vs. 1,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northwestern St Paul is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northwestern-St Paul or Saint Benedict? 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 College of Saint Benedict than University of Northwestern-St Paul ($28,400 vs. $29,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 8.1% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($11,534 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 47% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northwestern-St Paul (about $17,836 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47% higher at Saint Benedict than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $17,836 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Northwestern St Paul as at College of Saint Benedict (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 81% larger than aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students ($40,048 vs. $22,132).

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northwestern-St Paul or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict and University of Northwestern-St Paul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 70 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Saint Benedict).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271; College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28; College of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of Northwestern-St Paul (3.58).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Saint Benedict (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Northwestern-St Paul and Saint Benedict? 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).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $4,273 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($22,070 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($228 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northwestern-St Paul students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 78%)

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.