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South Dakota State University Bethel University University of North Dakota Black Hills State University Nebraska Augustana Truman State Augustana University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology NSU UNI ISU| Northwestern College | University of South Dakota | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Northwestern College | USD | ||
| Location | Saint Paul, MN | Vermillion, SD | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 3,253 | 9,856 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #554 | #597 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Other Protestant | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nwc.edu | usd.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northwestern College | USD | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $34,490 | $7,773 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $34,490 | $11,283 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,644 | $8,224 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $25,704 | $18,378 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $20,487 | $6,308 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 79% |
Admission |
Northwestern College | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,349 | 4,480 | ||
| Admitted | 1,248 | 4,456 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 92.5% | 99.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31.9% | 29.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.58 | 3.43 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/28 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1015/1311 | 1020/1300 | ||
| 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 | USD | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 14:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northwestern College | USD | ||
| Graduation Rate | 64% | 47% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,100 | $48,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 78% | 70% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,070 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $228 | $258 |
Diversity |
Northwestern College | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 39% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 61% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 84% | 85% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 2% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
Northwestern College | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 77% | 54% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 22% | 43% | ||
Campus |
Northwestern College | USD | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of South Dakota is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (9,856 students vs. 3,253 students)
Northwestern College vs. USD Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or USD?
- Northwestern College is 343.7% more expensive to attend than USD for in-state tuition ($34,490.00 vs. $7,773.00)
- Out of state tuition is 205.7% higher at Northwestern College than University of South Dakota ($34,490.00 vs. $11,283.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Dakota than Northwestern College ($18,378 vs. $25,704)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 29.4% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($8,224 vs. $10,644)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than University of South Dakota (100% vs. 79%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 224.8% larger than aid received University of South Dakota ($20,487 vs. $6,308)
Northwestern College vs. USD Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or USD? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USD or Northwestern College .
- The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 53 points higher than at USD (1049)
- Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at USD (23)
- Accepted freshman Northwestern College 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 (99.5%) than Northwestern College (92.5%)
Northwestern College vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northwestern College or USD? 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 USD and Northwestern College.
- The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than University of South Dakota (64% vs. 47%)
- Graduates from University of South Dakota earn on average $7,100 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($48,200 vs. $41,100)
- Northwestern College students graduate with a $2,930 lower median federal student loan debt than USD graduates. ($22,070 vs. $25,000)
- Northwestern College graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than USD graduates. ($228 vs. $258)
- More Northwestern College 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/