Saginaw Valley State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 3,708 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 14.1% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($10,600 vs. $12,340).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.9% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern State University (about $18,503 more per year; $30,450 vs. $11,947).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern State University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 109.8% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($13,512 vs. $6,441).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at NSU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Saginaw Valley State University and NSU.
• Enrolled first-year students at Saginaw Valley State University average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at NSU (3.37).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $2,601 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($24,399 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($252 vs. $279).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 48%).

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