Augustana vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Augustana College is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,570 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Augustana vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or Northwestern College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Augustana College than Northwestern College ($24,714 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 12.8% lower than at Augustana College ($10,900 vs. $12,502).
• Augustana College is 40.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $14,888 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.6% higher at Augustana than at Northwestern College (about $14,888 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College as at Northwestern College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 66.7% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($39,242 vs. $23,537).

Augustana vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or Northwestern College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northwestern College and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Augustana College (1150) is 60 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Augustana students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Augustana (3.3).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Augustana (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Augustana vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and Northwestern College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Augustana students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.