Fresno Pacific University vs. Northwestern College

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

Fresno Pacific University Northwestern College
Location Fresno, CA Orange City, IA
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,921 1,665
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #494 #633
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Brethren Church Reformed Church in America - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fresno.edu nwciowa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fresno Pacific University Northwestern College
Tuition (In State) $34,960 $35,000
Tuition (Out of State) $34,960 $35,000
Room & Board $10,148 $10,700
Avg Net Price $15,668 $24,737
Avg Grant Aid $27,472 $23,319
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Fresno Pacific University Northwestern College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,516 1,155
Admitted 872 1,005
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 87%
Enrolled % 23.7% 28.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 20/27
SAT Range 970/1240 940/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Fresno Pacific University Northwestern College
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (28%)
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Fresno Pacific University Northwestern College
Graduation Rate 50% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $25,092
Median Loan Payment $222 $259

Diversity

Fresno Pacific University Northwestern College
% Men 10% 7%
% Women 35% 24%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 35% 83%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 43% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 4%

Students

Fresno Pacific University Northwestern College
% In-State 88% 55%
% Out-of-State 5% 42%

Campus

Fresno Pacific University Northwestern College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Fresno Pacific University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,921 students vs. 1,665 students)

Fresno Pacific University vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fresno Pacific University or Northwestern College?

  • Northwestern College is 0.1% more expensive to attend than Fresno Pacific University for in-state tuition ($35,000.00 vs. $34,960.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.1% higher at Northwestern College than Fresno Pacific University ($35,000.00 vs. $34,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fresno Pacific University than Northwestern College ($15,668 vs. $24,737)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 5.4% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($10,148 vs. $10,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Fresno Pacific University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 17.8% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($27,472 vs. $23,319)

Fresno Pacific University vs. Northwestern College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1141) is 153 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (988)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Fresno Pacific University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Fresno Pacific University (3.54)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Fresno Pacific University (57.5%)

Fresno Pacific University vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fresno Pacific University or Northwestern College? 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 Northwestern College and Fresno Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Fresno Pacific University (66% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Fresno Pacific University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $38,400)
  • Fresno Pacific University students graduate with a $3,592 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwestern College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,092)
  • Fresno Pacific University graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Northwestern College graduates. ($222 vs. $259)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 53%)

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