Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University

Should I go to Northwestern College or South Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or South Dakota State University 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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Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University comparison
Northwestern College South Dakota State University College 3 College 4
Northwestern College South Dakota State University
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Overview

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Location Orange City, IA Brookings, SD
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,651 11,327
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #638 #600
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwciowa.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $34,000 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $34,000 $11,283
Room & Board $10,200 $8,087
Avg Net Price $25,198 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $22,228 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 6,364
Admitted 965 5,478
Acceptance Rate 87.3% 86.1%
Enrolled % 29.8% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 940/1240 1020/1245
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 66% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,092 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $259 $259

Diversity

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
% Men 39% 44%
% Women 61% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
% In-State 55% 50%
% Out-of-State 42% 48%

Campus

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 1,651 students)

Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or South Dakota State University?

  • Northwestern College is 337.4% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($34,000.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 201.3% higher at Northwestern College than South Dakota State University ($34,000.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota State University than Northwestern College ($18,160 vs. $25,198)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 26.1% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($8,087 vs. $10,200)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as South Dakota State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 388.4% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($22,228 vs. $4,551)

Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or South Dakota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota State University or Northwestern College .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1141) is 73 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (87.3%) than South Dakota State University (86.1%)

Northwestern College vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than South Dakota State University (66% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $9,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $38,400)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $24 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($25,092 vs. $25,116)
  • South Dakota State University and Northwestern College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/