St. Kate's vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Catherine University is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (3,651 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Catherine University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Catherine University 9:1; Northland College 5:1.

St. Kate's vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Kate's or Northland College? 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 St Catherine University than Northland College ($20,918 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 4.8% lower than at St Catherine University ($11,600 vs. $12,188).
• St Catherine University is 15.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northland College (about $7,051 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $44,403.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at St. Kate's than at Northland College (about $7,051 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $44,403.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Catherine University as at Northland College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 19.4% larger than aid received by Northland College students ($40,092 vs. $33,572).

St. Kate's vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Kate's or Northland College? 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 Northland College and St. Kate's.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northland College (1050) is 50 points higher than at St. Kate's (1000).
• Incoming St. Kate's students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Northland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Catherine University 850/1140; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Catherine University 20/26; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Kate's - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• St. Kate's has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at St. Kate's vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

St. Kate's vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Kate's and Northland College? 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).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northland College graduates have a $1,057 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($26,943 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Northland College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($278 vs. $289).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Kate's students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 65%)

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.