IU Northwest vs. Cornerstone University

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Northwest is larger than Cornerstone University based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 1,695 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Cornerstone University is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornerstone University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Cornerstone University 15:1.

IU Northwest vs. Cornerstone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest or Cornerstone 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 Cornerstone University ($5,745 vs. $21,335).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 13.6% lower than at Cornerstone University ($10,972 vs. $12,700).
• Cornerstone University is 173% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $14,576 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Cornerstone University than at Indiana University Northwest (about $189 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornerstone University than at Indiana University Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornerstone University students is 145.5% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($20,439 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. Cornerstone University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornerstone University (1100) is 50 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IU Northwest students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Cornerstone University (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Cornerstone University 970/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Cornerstone University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; Cornerstone University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cornerstone University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• Cornerstone University has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 18.6% at Cornerstone University.

IU Northwest vs. Cornerstone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest and Cornerstone 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).

• Cornerstone University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Northwest earn a median of about $700 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornerstone University graduates have a $30 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Cornerstone University and IU Northwest graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Cornerstone University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.