NSU vs. UWT

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD with University of Washington Tacoma Campus in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Washington Tacoma Campus is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (4,965 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); University of Washington Tacoma Campus is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern State University 19:1; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1.

NSU vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or UWT? 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 Washington Tacoma Campus than NSU ($13,898 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 35.3% lower than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($10,600 vs. $16,371).
• University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 48.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,323 more per year; $13,168.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 263.3% higher at UWT than at Northern State University (about $31,457 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (97% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students is 88.8% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($12,161 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. UWT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or UWT? 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 UWT and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is the same as at UWT (1070).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UWT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 980/1160; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; UWT - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWT Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UWT students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than UWT (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 21.5% at UWT.

NSU vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and UWT? 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).

• Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $28,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $9,399 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($155 vs. $252).
• More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.