Westfield State University vs. NSU

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

Westfield State University NSU
Location Westfield, MA Aberdeen, SD
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 4,702 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #575 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ma.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Westfield State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $970 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $10,718
Room & Board $12,894 $9,150
Avg Net Price $18,021 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $6,904 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 91%

Admission

Westfield State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,625 1,322
Admitted 5,400 1,033
Acceptance Rate 81.5% 78.1%
Enrolled % 14.9% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/22 18/24
SAT Range 980/1190 800/1150
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 Mar 1, 2024

Academics

Westfield State University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Westfield State University NSU
Graduation Rate 58% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,800 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,750 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $235 $252

Diversity

Westfield State University NSU
% Men 42% 37%
% Women 58% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 83%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 9% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

Westfield State University NSU
% In-State 89% 69%
% Out-of-State 11% 30%

Campus

Westfield State University NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Westfield State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (4,702 students vs. 3,344 students)

Westfield State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westfield State University or NSU?

  • Northern State University is 685.2% more expensive to attend than Westfield State University for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52% higher at NSU than Westfield State University ($10,718.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than Westfield State University ($17,264 vs. $18,021)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 40.9% lower than costs at Westfield State University ($9,150 vs. $12,894)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Westfield State University than Northern State University (93% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Westfield State University students is 20.8% larger than aid received Northern State University ($6,904 vs. $5,715)

Westfield State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 23 points higher than at Westfield State University (1001)
  • Incoming Westfield State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Westfield State University (3.3)
  • Westfield State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.5%) than NSU (78.1%)

Westfield State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Westfield State University or NSU? 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 NSU and Westfield State University.

  • The graduation rate at Westfield State University is higher than Northern State University (58% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Westfield State University earn on average $9,400 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($46,800 vs. $37,400)
  • Westfield State University students graduate with a $1,649 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($22,750 vs. $24,399)
  • Westfield State University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($235 vs. $252)
  • More Westfield State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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