Minnesota vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than University of Northwestern-St Paul based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 3,234 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

Minnesota vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities than University of Northwestern-St Paul ($17,209 vs. $29,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 16.8% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($11,534 vs. $13,856).
• University of Northwestern St Paul is 120.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota (about $20,706 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $17,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Minnesota than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $442 more per year; $38,362.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northwestern St Paul than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students is 76.3% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($22,132 vs. $12,552).

Minnesota vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and Minnesota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 330 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming Minnesota students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at University of Northwestern-St Paul).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - Test optional; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027; University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at University of Northwestern-St Paul (3.58).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Minnesota (79.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

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

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $1,885 lower median loan debt than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates ($20,185 vs. $22,070).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates ($208 vs. $228).
• More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.