Southwest Minnesota State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Southwest Minnesota 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: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University than NSU ($15,547 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 3.9% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,600 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 17.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,516 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at NSU than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $1,586 more per year; $11,947.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 34.7% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($8,674 vs. $6,441).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 50 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southwest Minnesota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $2,721 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,678 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($224 vs. $252).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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.