Saginaw Valley State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State University or NSU? 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 Saginaw Valley State University than NSU ($11,546 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 14.1% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($10,600 vs. $12,340).
• Saginaw Valley State University is 46.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,085 more per year; $12,930.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.9% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern State University (about $18,503 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern State University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 109.8% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($13,512 vs. $6,441).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State University or NSU? 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 NSU and Saginaw Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming Saginaw Valley State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 18/26; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State University and NSU? 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).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $2,601 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($24,399 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($252 vs. $279).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 48%)

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.