Head-to-head · 2026
Northern State University vs Western Dakota Technical College
Compare average net price ($15,812 at Northern State University; $12,670 at Western Dakota Technical College), ROI score (7.53 vs 7.94), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,618 vs $40,240), and admissions context (93% at Northern State University; Open / not reported at Western Dakota Technical College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Northern State University | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.53 | 7.94 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,812 | $12,670 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,248 | $50,680 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,845 | $8,294 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,947 | $8,294 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,618 ✓ | $40,240 |
| Acceptance rate | 93% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 48.9% | 54.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 77% ✓ | 67.3% |
| Median debt | $22,320 | $15,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,273 | 753 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1089 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Northern State University | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,762 | $10,071 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,087 | $10,543 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,293 | $14,003 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,372 ✓ | $18,657 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,933 ✓ | $18,845 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Northern State University | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 4.9% | 8.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.1% | 2.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.2% | 4.8% |
| Marketing | 2% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Dakota Technical College reports the lower average net price by $3,142 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $12,568 difference over four years ($50,680 vs $63,248).
Northern State University reports $7,378 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,618 vs $40,240). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 77% at Northern State University and 67.3% at Western Dakota Technical College. Median federal debt among completers is $22,320 vs $15,000, respectively.
4 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Northern State University vs Western Dakota Technical College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Dakota Technical College is cheaper — average net price $12,670 per year vs $15,812 at Northern State University. The annual difference of $3,142 adds up to about $12,568 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,618 vs $40,240 at Western Dakota Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $7,378. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.