Northwestern College vs. NDSU

Northwestern College and North Dakota State University Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern College
North Dakota State University Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 95%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: NDSU. Average net price is $15,596 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs NDSU 54%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs NDSU $53,600 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College North Dakota State University Main Campus
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
NDSU95%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern College higher
Northwestern College940-1240
NDSU968-1216
Average net price
NDSU $10,751 less
Northwestern College$26,347
NDSU$15,596
In-state tuition
NDSU $25,600 less
Northwestern College$36,710
NDSU$11,110
Out-of-state tuition
NDSU $20,946 less
Northwestern College$36,710
NDSU$15,764
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +12 pts
Northwestern College66%
NDSU54%
Median earnings (10 years)
NDSU +$15,200
Northwestern College$38,400
NDSU$53,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • NDSU 7,228
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • NDSU 6,864
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • NDSU 95%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • NDSU 32%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • NDSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • NDSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • NDSU 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • NDSU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • NDSU Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • NDSU
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • NDSU 968-1216
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • NDSU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • NDSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • NDSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • NDSU $11,110
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • NDSU $15,764
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • NDSU $9,928
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • NDSU $15,596
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • NDSU $6,409
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • NDSU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • NDSU 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • NDSU $53,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • NDSU 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • NDSU $23,300
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • NDSU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • NDSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • NDSU
    • Business (19%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Agriculture (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • NDSU Fargo, ND
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • NDSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • NDSU 11,952
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • NDSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • NDSU #601

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 8.9% lower than at Northwestern College ($9,928 vs. $10,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 132.9% higher at Northwestern College than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (about $20,946 more per year; $36,710 vs. $15,764).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 267.2% larger than aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students ($23,537 vs. $6,409).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northwestern College than at NDSU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at NDSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at NDSU (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 32% at NDSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates have a $1,792 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,300 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, NDSU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($240 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NDSU students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 81%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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