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University of North Dakota USD Dakota State ISU NDSU University of Minnesota-Duluth Bethel University MSU Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Nebraska St. Cloud State University Augustana| Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | ||
| Location | Saint Paul, MN | Brookings, SD | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 3,253 | 11,327 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #554 | #600 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Other Protestant | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nwc.edu | sdstate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $34,490 | $7,773 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $34,490 | $11,283 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,644 | $8,087 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $25,704 | $18,160 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $20,487 | $4,551 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,349 | 6,364 | ||
| Admitted | 1,248 | 5,478 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 92.5% | 86.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31.9% | 40% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.58 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/28 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1015/1311 | 1020/1245 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 64% | 60% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,100 | $47,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 78% | 77% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,070 | $25,116 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $228 | $259 |
Diversity |
Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 39% | 44% | ||
| % Women | 61% | 56% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 84% | 88% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 77% | 50% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 22% | 48% | ||
Campus |
Northwestern College | South Dakota State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- South Dakota State University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 3,253 students)
Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or South Dakota State University?
- Northwestern College is 343.7% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($34,490.00 vs. $7,773.00)
- Out of state tuition is 205.7% higher at Northwestern College than South Dakota State University ($34,490.00 vs. $11,283.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota State University than Northwestern College ($18,160 vs. $25,704)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 31.6% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($8,087 vs. $10,644)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as South Dakota State University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 350.2% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($20,487 vs. $4,551)
Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or South Dakota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota State University or Northwestern College .
- The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 34 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
- Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
- Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53)
- Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than South Dakota State University (86.1%)
Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northwestern College or South Dakota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Dakota State University and Northwestern College.
- The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than South Dakota State University (64% vs. 60%)
- Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $41,100)
- Northwestern College students graduate with a $3,046 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $25,116)
- Northwestern College graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($228 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. (78% vs. 77%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/