Cornell College vs. Northwest University

Should I go to Cornell College or Northwest University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cornell College 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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Cornell College vs. Northwest University comparison
Cornell College Northwest University College 3 College 4
Cornell College Northwest University
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Overview

Cornell College Northwest University
Location Mount Vernon, IA Kirkland, WA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,084 999
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #455
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Assemblies of God Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cornellcollege.edu northwestu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cornell College Northwest University
Tuition (In State) $49,970 $35,535
Tuition (Out of State) $49,970 $35,535
Room & Board $11,358 $10,648
Avg Net Price $25,850 $25,917
Avg Grant Aid $38,486 $21,864
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Cornell College Northwest University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,087 586
Admitted 2,490 516
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 88.1%
Enrolled % 12% 29.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 24/29
SAT Range 1150/1318 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

Cornell College Northwest University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

Cornell College Northwest University
Graduation Rate 70% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,400 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,532
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

Cornell College Northwest University
% Men 0% 12%
% Women 0% 21%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 69%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 13% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Cornell College Northwest University
% In-State 30% 79%
% Out-of-State 67% 18%

Campus

Cornell College 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

  • Cornell College is larger than than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 999 students)

Cornell College vs. Northwest University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Northwest University?

  • Cornell College is 40.6% more expensive to attend than Northwest University for in-state tuition ($49,970.00 vs. $35,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40.6% higher at Cornell College than Northwest University ($49,970.00 vs. $35,535.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornell College than Northwest University ($25,850 vs. $25,917)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 6.7% lower than costs at Cornell College ($10,648 vs. $11,358)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cornell College than Northwest University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 76% larger than aid received Northwest University ($38,486 vs. $21,864)

Cornell College vs. Northwest University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cornell College (1177) is 181 points higher than at Northwest University (996)
  • Incoming Cornell College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Northwest University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (88.1%) than Cornell College (80.7%)

Cornell College vs. Northwest University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cornell College 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 Cornell College.

  • The graduation rate at Cornell College is higher than Northwest University (70% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Cornell College earn on average $4,000 more per year than Northwest University graduates after ten years. ($45,400 vs. $41,400)
  • Northwest University students graduate with a $5,468 lower median federal student loan debt than Cornell College graduates. ($21,532 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwest University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Cornell College graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

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