Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University

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

Northwestern College
South Dakota State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 98.3%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: South Dakota State University. Average net price is $19,932 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs South Dakota State University 60%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs South Dakota State University $47,700 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
South Dakota State University98.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
South Dakota State University higher
Northwestern College940-1240
South Dakota State University1060-1240
Average net price
South Dakota State University $6,415 less
Northwestern College$26,347
South Dakota State University$19,932
In-state tuition
South Dakota State University $27,411 less
Northwestern College$36,710
South Dakota State University$9,299
Out-of-state tuition
South Dakota State University $23,901 less
Northwestern College$36,710
South Dakota State University$12,809
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +6 pts
Northwestern College66%
South Dakota State University60%
Median earnings (10 years)
South Dakota State University +$9,300
Northwestern College$38,400
South Dakota State University$47,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • South Dakota State University 7,287
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • South Dakota State University 7,166
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • South Dakota State University 98.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • South Dakota State University 34.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • South Dakota State University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • South Dakota State University 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • South Dakota State University 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • South Dakota State University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • South Dakota State University Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • South Dakota State University
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • South Dakota State University 1060-1240
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • South Dakota State University 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • South Dakota State University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • South Dakota State University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • South Dakota State University $9,299
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • South Dakota State University $12,809
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • South Dakota State University $10,176
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • South Dakota State University $19,932
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • South Dakota State University $4,474
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • South Dakota State University 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • South Dakota State University 60%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • South Dakota State University $47,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • South Dakota State University 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • South Dakota State University $25,116
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • South Dakota State University $259
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • South Dakota State University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • South Dakota State University
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Work and Family Studies (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • South Dakota State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • South Dakota State University 12,056
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • South Dakota State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • South Dakota State University #619

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

South Dakota State University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 6.6% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,176 vs. $10,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 186.6% higher at Northwestern College than at South Dakota State University (about $23,901 more per year; $36,710 vs. $12,809).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at South Dakota State University (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 426.1% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($23,537 vs. $4,474).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northwestern College than at South Dakota State University (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at South Dakota State University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at South Dakota State University (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $24 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($25,092 vs. $25,116).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, South Dakota State University and Northwestern College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($259 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota State University students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 77%).

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

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