Northwestern College vs. University of Sioux Falls

Should I go to Northwestern College or University of Sioux Falls? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or University of Sioux Falls is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northwestern College vs. University of Sioux Falls comparison
Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls College 3 College 4
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Overview

Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls
Location Saint Paul, MN Sioux Falls, SD
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 3,253 1,594
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #554
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant American Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu usiouxfalls.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls
Tuition (In State) $34,490 $19,940
Tuition (Out of State) $34,490 $19,940
Room & Board $10,644 $8,090
Avg Net Price $25,704 $20,957
Avg Grant Aid $20,487 $12,117
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,349 2,358
Admitted 1,248 1,791
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 76%
Enrolled % 31.9% 17.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28
SAT Range 1015/1311
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls
Graduation Rate 64% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $22,750
Median Loan Payment $228 $235

Diversity

Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls
% Men 39% 39%
% Women 61% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 89%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls
% In-State 77% 50%
% Out-of-State 22% 50%

Campus

Northwestern College University of Sioux Falls
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern College is larger than than University of Sioux Falls based on total student enrollment (3,253 students vs. 1,594 students)

Northwestern College vs. University of Sioux Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or University of Sioux Falls?

  • Northwestern College is 73% more expensive to attend than University of Sioux Falls for in-state tuition ($34,490.00 vs. $19,940.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 73% higher at Northwestern College than University of Sioux Falls ($34,490.00 vs. $19,940.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Sioux Falls than Northwestern College ($20,957 vs. $25,704)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Sioux Falls are 31.6% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($8,090 vs. $10,644)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as University of Sioux Falls (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 69.1% larger than aid received University of Sioux Falls ($20,487 vs. $12,117)

Northwestern College vs. University of Sioux Falls Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or University of Sioux Falls? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Sioux Falls or Northwestern College .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 56 points higher than at University of Sioux Falls (1046)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of Sioux Falls (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Sioux Falls students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Northwestern College (3.58)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than University of Sioux Falls (76%)

Northwestern College vs. University of Sioux Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or University of Sioux Falls? 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 University of Sioux Falls and Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than University of Sioux Falls (64% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from University of Sioux Falls earn on average $2,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $680 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Sioux Falls graduates. ($22,070 vs. $22,750)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than University of Sioux Falls graduates. ($228 vs. $235)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Sioux Falls students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/