IWU vs. Northwood University

Deciding between Indiana Wesleyan University Marion and Northwood 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 Wesleyan University Marion
Northwood University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • IWU Marion, IN
  • Northwood University Midland, MI
  • Setting
  • IWU Distant Town
  • Northwood University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 2,204
  • Northwood University 2,409
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Northwood University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • IWU #239
  • Northwood University #577
  • Religious Affiliation
  • IWU Wesleyan
  • Northwood University -
  • Status
  • IWU Non-profit
  • Northwood University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • IWU
  • Northwood University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • IWU $32,352
  • Northwood University $34,400
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • IWU $32,352
  • Northwood University $34,400
  • Room & Board
  • IWU $10,868
  • Northwood University $13,100
  • Average Net Price
  • IWU $23,402
  • Northwood University $25,549
  • Average Grant Aid
  • IWU $21,405
  • Northwood University $23,349
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Northwood University 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • IWU 3,761
  • Northwood University 1,851
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,345
  • Northwood University 1,194
  • Acceptance Rate
  • IWU 88.9%
  • Northwood University 64.5%
  • Enrolled
  • IWU 17%
  • Northwood University 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1070
  • Northwood University 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 23
  • Northwood University 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • IWU 3.61
  • Northwood University 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • IWU A-
  • Northwood University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • IWU Moderate
  • Northwood University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • IWU
  • Northwood University Low
  • ACT Range
  • IWU 19/28
  • Northwood University 17/23
  • SAT Range
  • IWU 960/1180
  • Northwood University 950/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Northwood University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • IWU
  • Northwood University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Northwood University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • IWU
    • Business (56%)
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (3%)
    • Education (3%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Northwood University
    • Business (93%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)
    • Health Professions (1%)
    • Communication (1%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • IWU 70%
  • Northwood University 53%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • IWU $54,300
  • Northwood University $50,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • IWU 55%
  • Northwood University 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • IWU $24,104
  • Northwood University $21,775
  • Median Loan Payment
  • IWU $249
  • Northwood University $225
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • IWU 40%
  • Northwood University 62%
  • % Women
  • IWU 60%
  • Northwood University 38%
  • Racial Diversity
  • IWU Low
  • Northwood University Low
  • HBCU
  • IWU No
  • Northwood University No
  • % White
  • IWU 73%
  • Northwood University 67%
  • % Asian
  • IWU 1%
  • Northwood University 1%
  • % Black
  • IWU 19%
  • Northwood University 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • IWU 4%
  • Northwood University 5%
  • % Native American
  • IWU 0%
  • Northwood University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • IWU 0%
  • Northwood University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • IWU 2%
  • Northwood University 1%
  • % International
  • IWU 0%
  • Northwood University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • IWU 1%
  • Northwood University 13%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • IWU 67%
  • Northwood University 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • IWU 32%
  • Northwood University 17%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • IWU Yes
  • Northwood University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • IWU No
  • Northwood University No
  • Meal Plan
  • IWU Yes
  • Northwood University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • IWU No
  • Northwood University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • IWU No
  • Northwood University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, IN with Northwood University in Midland, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwood University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,409 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is located in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting); Northwood University is in Midland, MI (Distant Town setting).
  • Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwood University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1; Northwood University 14:1.

IWU vs. Northwood University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Northwood 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 Wesleyan University Marion than Northwood University ($23,402 vs. $25,549).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 17% lower than at Northwood University ($10,868 vs. $13,100).
  • Northwood University is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $2,048 more per year; $34,400.00 vs. $32,352.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Northwood University than at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (about $2,048 more per year; $34,400.00 vs. $32,352.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Northwood University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwood University students is 9.1% larger than aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students ($23,349 vs. $21,405).

IWU vs. Northwood University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Northwood 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 Northwood University and IWU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (1070) is 10 points higher than at Northwood University (1060).
  • Incoming IWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Northwood University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Northwood University 950/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28; Northwood University 17/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Northwood University - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Northwood University (3.41).
  • IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Northwood University (64.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 28.6% at Northwood University.

IWU vs. Northwood University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Northwood 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).

  • Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Northwood University's (53%).
  • Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Northwood University graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwood University graduates have a $2,329 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,775 vs. $24,104).
  • Among borrowers, Northwood University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($225 vs. $249).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwood University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 54%)

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.