BLC vs. NSU

Should I go to Bethany Lutheran College or Northern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BLC or NSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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South Dakota State University WLC USD Northwest Pitt State Winona State University Augustana
Bethany Lutheran College vs. Northern State University comparison
Bethany Lutheran College Northern State University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 BLC NSU
Location Mankato, MN Aberdeen, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 830 3,344
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #820
Religious Affiliation Other (none of the above) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website blc.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 BLC NSU
Tuition (In State) $28,330 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $28,330 $10,718
Room & Board $8,270 $9,150
Avg Net Price $18,525 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $20,705 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

 BLC NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 665 1,322
Admitted 389 1,033
Acceptance Rate 58.5% 78.1%
Enrolled % 45.2% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25 18/24
SAT Range 990/1290 800/1150
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 Jul 1, 2024

Academics

 BLC NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 BLC NSU
Graduation Rate 53% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $240 $252

Diversity

 BLC NSU
% Men 48% 37%
% Women 52% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 83%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 BLC NSU
% In-State 59% 69%
% Out-of-State 23% 30%

Campus

 BLC NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern State University is larger than than BLC based on total student enrollment (3,344 students vs. 830 students)

BLC vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or NSU?

  • Bethany Lutheran College is 272% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($28,330.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 164.3% higher at BLC than Northern State University ($28,330.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than BLC ($17,264 vs. $18,525)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 10.6% lower than costs at Northern State University ($8,270 vs. $9,150)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than Northern State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students is 262.3% larger than aid received Northern State University ($20,705 vs. $5,715)

BLC vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BLC or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or BLC .

  • The average SAT score at Bethany Lutheran College (1074) is 50 points higher than at NSU (1024)
  • Incoming BLC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman BLC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than BLC (58.5%)

BLC vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BLC or NSU? 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 NSU and BLC.

  • The graduation rate at BLC is higher than Northern State University (53% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Northern State University earn on average $100 more per year than BLC graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $37,300)
  • Bethany Lutheran College students graduate with a $1,149 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,399)
  • BLC graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($240 vs. $252)
  • More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/