Blackburn College vs. IU Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Northwest is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Indiana University Northwest is in Gary, IN (Small City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Indiana University Northwest 15:1.

Blackburn College vs. IU Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest than Blackburn College ($5,745 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 9.6% lower than at Indiana University Northwest ($9,915 vs. $10,972).
• Blackburn College is 234.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $19,725 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.4% higher at Blackburn College than at Indiana University Northwest (about $5,338 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Indiana University Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 133.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($19,456 vs. $8,327).

Blackburn College vs. IU Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or IU Northwest? 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 IU Northwest and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Northwest (1050) is 40 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming IU Northwest students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Indiana University Northwest 910/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; IU Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• IU Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 23.5% at IU Northwest.

Blackburn College vs. IU Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and IU Northwest? 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).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $900 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $970 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($25,030 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, IU Northwest graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 33%)

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.