IU Northwest vs. Capital University

Deciding between Indiana University Northwest and Capital University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Indiana University Northwest
Capital University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • IU Northwest Gary, IN
  • Capital University Columbus, OH
  • Setting
  • IU Northwest Small City
  • Capital University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IU Northwest 3,041
  • Capital University 2,263
  • Type
  • IU Northwest Public 4 Year
  • Capital University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • IU Northwest #875
  • Capital University #495
  • Religious Affiliation
  • IU Northwest -
  • Capital University Evangelical Lutheran Church
  • Status
  • IU Northwest Non-profit
  • Capital University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • IU Northwest
  • Capital University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • IU Northwest $8,424
  • Capital University $43,234
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • IU Northwest $22,811
  • Capital University $43,234
  • Room & Board
  • IU Northwest $10,972
  • Capital University $12,984
  • Average Net Price
  • IU Northwest $5,745
  • Capital University $22,395
  • Average Grant Aid
  • IU Northwest $8,327
  • Capital University $34,471
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • IU Northwest 76%
  • Capital University 99%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • IU Northwest 2,928
  • Capital University 4,520
  • Admitted
  • IU Northwest 2,149
  • Capital University 3,174
  • Acceptance Rate
  • IU Northwest 73.4%
  • Capital University 70.2%
  • Enrolled
  • IU Northwest 23.5%
  • Capital University 11.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IU Northwest 1050
  • Capital University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • IU Northwest 22
  • Capital University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • IU Northwest 3.14
  • Capital University 3.63
  • Typical High School Grades
  • IU Northwest B
  • Capital University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • IU Northwest Easy
  • Capital University Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • IU Northwest Low
  • Capital University Low
  • ACT Range
  • IU Northwest 18/26
  • Capital University 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • IU Northwest 910/1180
  • Capital University 910/1180
  • Submit Test Scores
  • IU Northwest Test optional
  • Capital University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • IU Northwest
  • Capital University May 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • IU Northwest 15:1
  • Capital University 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • IU Northwest
    • Health Professions (33%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Capital University
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Human Services (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • IU Northwest 23%
  • Capital University 61%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • IU Northwest $39,500
  • Capital University $47,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • IU Northwest 33%
  • Capital University 64%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • IU Northwest $25,030
  • Capital University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • IU Northwest $258
  • Capital University $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • IU Northwest 27%
  • Capital University 43%
  • % Women
  • IU Northwest 73%
  • Capital University 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • IU Northwest High
  • Capital University Low
  • HBCU
  • IU Northwest No
  • Capital University No
  • % White
  • IU Northwest 55%
  • Capital University 75%
  • % Asian
  • IU Northwest 2%
  • Capital University 1%
  • % Black
  • IU Northwest 18%
  • Capital University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • IU Northwest 20%
  • Capital University 4%
  • % Native American
  • IU Northwest 0%
  • Capital University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • IU Northwest 0%
  • Capital University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • IU Northwest 3%
  • Capital University 5%
  • % International
  • IU Northwest 0%
  • Capital University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • IU Northwest 1%
  • Capital University 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • IU Northwest 95%
  • Capital University 90%
  • % Out-of-State
  • IU Northwest 4%
  • Capital University 9%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • IU Northwest No
  • Capital University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • IU Northwest No
  • Capital University No
  • Meal Plan
  • IU Northwest No
  • Capital University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • IU Northwest Yes
  • Capital University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • IU Northwest Yes
  • Capital University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Capital University in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Northwest is larger than Capital University based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 2,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Capital University is in Columbus, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Capital University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Capital University 9:1.

IU Northwest vs. Capital University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest or Capital University? 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 Indiana University Northwest than Capital University ($5,745 vs. $22,395).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 15.5% lower than at Capital University ($10,972 vs. $12,984).
  • Capital University is 413.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $34,810 more per year; $43,234.00 vs. $8,424.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 89.5% higher at Capital University than at Indiana University Northwest (about $20,423 more per year; $43,234.00 vs. $22,811.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Capital University than at Indiana University Northwest (99% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 314% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($34,471 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. Capital University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest or Capital University? 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 Capital University and IU Northwest.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Northwest (1050) is the same as at Capital University (1050).
  • Incoming IU Northwest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Capital University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Capital University 910/1180.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Capital University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; Capital University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Capital University May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Capital University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
  • IU Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Capital University (70.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 11.8% at Capital University.

IU Northwest vs. Capital University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest and Capital University? 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).

  • Capital University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
  • Graduates from Capital University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $1,970 lower median loan debt than Capital University graduates ($25,030 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, IU Northwest graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Capital University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More Capital University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 33%)

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.