IU Northwest vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Northwest is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

IU Northwest vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets ($5,745 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 12.7% lower than at The University of Olivet ($10,972 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 304.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $25,644 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at OC Comets than at Indiana University Northwest (about $11,257 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Indiana University Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 234.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($27,858 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets and IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Northwest (1050) is 30 points higher than at OC Comets (1020).
• Incoming IU Northwest students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at OC Comets).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; The University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; OC Comets - Test-free.
• OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

IU Northwest vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest and OC Comets? 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).

• The University of Olivet's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Northwest earn a median of about $200 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $1,970 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($25,030 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU Northwest graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More OC Comets graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.