Dort vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dordt University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (1,952 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, IA (Remote Town setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Dordt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dordt University 14:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Dort vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dort 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 Northwestern College than Dort ($26,347 vs. $28,486).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 7.4% lower than at Dordt University ($10,900 vs. $11,770).
• Dordt University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $340 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Dort than at Northwestern College (about $340 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dordt University as at Northwestern College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Dordt University students ($23,537 vs. $23,277).

Dort vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dort 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 Dort.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dordt University (1200) is 110 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Dort 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: Dordt University 1070/1330; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 21/29; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dort - Test optional; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Dort students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Dort (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at Dort vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Dort vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dort 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).

• Northwestern College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Dordt University's (60%).
• Graduates from Dordt University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dordt University graduates have a $2,092 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, Dort graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($237 vs. $259).
• More Dort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 85%)

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.