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
South Dakota State University
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Overview

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Location Saint Paul, MN Brookings, SD
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 3,253 11,327
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #554 #600
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $34,490 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $34,490 $11,283
Room & Board $10,644 $8,087
Avg Net Price $25,704 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $20,487 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,349 6,364
Admitted 1,248 5,478
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 86.1%
Enrolled % 31.9% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/25
SAT Range 1015/1311 1020/1245
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 South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 64% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $228 $259

Diversity

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
% Men 39% 44%
% Women 61% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 88%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Northwestern College South Dakota State University
% In-State 77% 50%
% Out-of-State 22% 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. 3,253 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 343.7% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($34,490.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 205.7% higher at Northwestern College than South Dakota State University ($34,490.00 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. $25,704)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 31.6% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($8,087 vs. $10,644)
  • 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 350.2% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($20,487 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 (1102) is 34 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) 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 (64% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $3,046 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $25,116)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($228 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. (78% vs. 77%)

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