Blackburn College vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Blackburn College is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (513 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Northland College 5:1.

Blackburn College vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Northland 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 Blackburn College than Northland College ($18,460 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 14.5% lower than at Northland College ($9,915 vs. $11,600).
• Northland College is 57.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $16,254 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.7% higher at Northland College than at Blackburn College (about $16,254 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at Northland College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 72.6% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($33,572 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Northland 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 Northland College and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northland College (1050) is 40 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Northland College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northland College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Northland College has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Blackburn College vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Northland 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).

• The graduation rate at Blackburn College is the same as at Northland College (48% vs. 48%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $943 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($268 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 58%)

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.