University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 3,234 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northwestern St Paul is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northwestern-St Paul 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul ($19,133 vs. $29,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 10.2% lower than at University of Northwestern St Paul ($10,356 vs. $11,534).
• University of Northwestern St Paul is 302% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $28,488 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 193% higher at University of Northwestern-St Paul than at University of South Dakota (about $24,978 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northwestern St Paul than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students is 293.6% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($22,132 vs. $5,623).

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northwestern-St Paul 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 150 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than University of Northwestern-St Paul (93.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. 24.1% at USD.

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Northwestern-St Paul 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).

• University of Northwestern St Paul's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $2,930 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,070 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($228 vs. $258).
• More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.