Hamline University vs. Northwestern College

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

Hamline University Northwestern College
Location Saint Paul, MN Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,638 3,253
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #400 #554
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hamline.edu nwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Hamline University Northwestern College
Tuition (In State) $45,540 $34,490
Tuition (Out of State) $45,540 $34,490
Room & Board $11,213 $10,644
Avg Net Price $23,021 $25,704
Avg Grant Aid $33,013 $20,487
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Hamline University Northwestern College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,840 1,349
Admitted 3,093 1,248
Acceptance Rate 80.5% 92.5%
Enrolled % 15.4% 31.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.58
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 21/28
SAT Range 1030/1258 1015/1311
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, 2025

Academics

Hamline University Northwestern College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Legal Professions (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

Hamline University Northwestern College
Graduation Rate 68% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $55,100 $41,100
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $22,070
Median Loan Payment $250 $228

Diversity

Hamline University Northwestern College
% Men 34% 39%
% Women 66% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 84%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 7% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Hamline University Northwestern College
% In-State 78% 77%
% Out-of-State 22% 22%

Campus

Hamline 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

  • Northwestern College is larger than than Hamline University based on total student enrollment (3,253 students vs. 2,638 students)

Hamline University vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamline University or Northwestern College?

  • Hamline University is 32% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($45,540.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32% higher at Hamline University than Northwestern College ($45,540.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hamline University than Northwestern College ($23,021 vs. $25,704)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 5.3% lower than costs at Hamline University ($10,644 vs. $11,213)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Hamline University as Northwestern College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamline University students is 61.1% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($33,013 vs. $20,487)

Hamline University vs. Northwestern College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Hamline University (1127) is 25 points higher than at Northwestern College (1102)
  • Incoming Hamline University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Northwestern College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Hamline University (3.48)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Hamline University (80.5%)

Hamline University vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Hamline 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 Hamline University.

  • The graduation rate at Hamline University is higher than Northwestern College (68% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Hamline University earn on average $14,000 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($55,100 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $2,180 lower median federal student loan debt than Hamline University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $24,250)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Hamline University graduates. ($228 vs. $250)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamline University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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