Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Northwest University

Should I go to Cleveland Institute of Art or Northwest University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cleveland Institute of Art or Northwest University 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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Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Northwest University comparison
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Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
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Overview

Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
Location Cleveland, OH Kirkland, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 566 999
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Assemblies of God Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cia.edu northwestu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
Tuition (In State) $44,680 $35,535
Tuition (Out of State) $44,680 $35,535
Room & Board $12,520 $10,648
Avg Net Price $33,527 $25,917
Avg Grant Aid $29,439 $21,864
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 963 586
Admitted 542 516
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 88.1%
Enrolled % 22.7% 29.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/26 24/29
SAT Range 1060/1300 1040/1325
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 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (94%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
Graduation Rate 58% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,400 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,000 $21,532
Median Loan Payment $299 $222

Diversity

Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
% Men 1% 12%
% Women 1% 21%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 69% 69%
% Black 8% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 10% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
% In-State 69% 79%
% Out-of-State 30% 18%

Campus

Cleveland Institute of Art Northwest University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwest University is larger than than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (999 students vs. 566 students)

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Northwest University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Art or Northwest University?

  • Cleveland Institute of Art is 25.7% more expensive to attend than Northwest University for in-state tuition ($44,680.00 vs. $35,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.7% higher at Cleveland Institute of Art than Northwest University ($44,680.00 vs. $35,535.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest University than Cleveland Institute of Art ($25,917 vs. $33,527)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 17.6% lower than costs at Cleveland Institute of Art ($10,648 vs. $12,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Art than Northwest University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students is 34.6% larger than aid received Northwest University ($29,439 vs. $21,864)

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Northwest University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland Institute of Art (1083) is 87 points higher than at Northwest University (996)
  • Incoming Cleveland Institute of Art students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northwest University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Cleveland Institute of Art students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (88.1%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (56.3%)

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Northwest University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cleveland Institute of Art or Northwest University? 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 Northwest University and Cleveland Institute of Art.

  • The graduation rate at Cleveland Institute of Art is higher than Northwest University (58% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Northwest University earn on average $2,000 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates after ten years. ($41,400 vs. $39,400)
  • Northwest University students graduate with a $7,468 lower median federal student loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates. ($21,532 vs. $29,000)
  • Northwest University graduates are paying $77 less per month on federal student loans than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates. ($222 vs. $299)
  • More Cleveland Institute of Art graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 62%)

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