Northwestern College vs. Dakota State

Should I go to Northwestern College or Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or Dakota State 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

South Dakota State University Bethel University Dakota Wesleyan University USD University of Sioux Falls Minnesota Augustana Hamline University
Northwestern College vs. Dakota State University comparison
Northwestern College Dakota State University College 3 College 4
Dakota State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Northwestern College Dakota State
Location Saint Paul, MN Madison, SD
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 3,253 3,241
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #554 #808
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu dsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwestern College Dakota State
Tuition (In State) $34,490 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $34,490 $10,718
Room & Board $10,644 $8,018
Avg Net Price $25,704 $17,977
Avg Grant Aid $20,487 $5,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 92%

Admission

 Northwestern College Dakota State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,349 882
Admitted 1,248 696
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 78.9%
Enrolled % 31.9% 53.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/27
SAT Range 1015/1311 940/1240
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 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

 Northwestern College Dakota State
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (28%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

 Northwestern College Dakota State
Graduation Rate 64% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $228 $242

Diversity

 Northwestern College Dakota State
% Men 39% 64%
% Women 61% 36%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 84%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 Northwestern College Dakota State
% In-State 77% 58%
% Out-of-State 22% 39%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern College is larger than than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (3,253 students vs. 3,241 students)

Northwestern College vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

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

  • Northwestern College is 352.9% more expensive to attend than Dakota State for in-state tuition ($34,490.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 221.8% higher at Northwestern College than Dakota State University ($34,490.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota State University than Northwestern College ($17,977 vs. $25,704)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 32.8% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($8,018 vs. $10,644)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Dakota State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 274.7% larger than aid received Dakota State University ($20,487 vs. $5,467)

Northwestern College vs. Dakota State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 55 points higher than at Dakota State (1047)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Dakota State (23)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Dakota State (3.33)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Dakota State (78.9%)

Northwestern College vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Dakota State University (64% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Dakota State University earn on average $1,100 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $1,430 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota State graduates. ($22,070 vs. $23,500)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota State graduates. ($228 vs. $242)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 67%)

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