ISU vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

ISU vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Northwestern College? 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 Iowa State University than Northwestern College ($17,779 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 0.8% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,808 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 240.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $25,923 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Northwestern College than at Iowa State University (about $7,829 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 118.1% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($23,537 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Northwestern College? 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 Northwestern College and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 150 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

ISU vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Northwestern College? 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,224 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($246 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 74%)

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.