Michigan Tech vs. Northwestern College

Should I go to Michigan Technological University or Northwestern College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan Tech or Northwestern College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Michigan Technological University vs. Northwestern College comparison
Michigan Technological University Northwestern College College 3 College 4
Michigan Technological University
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Overview

 Michigan Tech Northwestern College
Location Houghton, MI Saint Paul, MN
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,313 3,262
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #245 #551
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mtu.edu nwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Michigan Tech Northwestern College
Tuition (In State) $18,074 $35,970
Tuition (Out of State) $41,022 $35,970
Room & Board $12,774 $11,148
Avg Net Price $17,928 $26,779
Avg Grant Aid $16,889 $21,360
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

 Michigan Tech Northwestern College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,434 1,194
Admitted 10,935 1,097
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 91.9%
Enrolled % 13.4% 33.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.78 3.58
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 22/29
SAT Range 1120/1330 981/1293
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 Michigan Tech Northwestern College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (56%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

 Michigan Tech Northwestern College
Graduation Rate 65% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,000 $41,100
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,900 $22,070
Median Loan Payment $278 $228

Diversity

 Michigan Tech Northwestern College
% Men 13% 1%
% Women 6% 1%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 86% 84%
% Black 1% 3%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 Michigan Tech Northwestern College
% In-State 76% 74%
% Out-of-State 24% 26%

Campus

 Michigan Tech Northwestern College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan Technological University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (7,313 students vs. 3,262 students)

Michigan Tech vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan Tech or Northwestern College?

  • Northwestern College is 99% more expensive to attend than Michigan Tech for in-state tuition ($35,970.00 vs. $18,074.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14% higher at Michigan Tech than Northwestern College ($41,022.00 vs. $35,970.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Michigan Technological University than Northwestern College ($17,928 vs. $26,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 14.6% lower than costs at Michigan Technological University ($11,148 vs. $12,774)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Michigan Technological University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 26.5% larger than aid received Michigan Technological University ($21,360 vs. $16,889)

Michigan Tech vs. Northwestern College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan Tech or Northwestern College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northwestern College or Michigan Tech .

  • The average SAT score at Michigan Technological University (1207) is 105 points higher than at Northwestern College (1102)
  • Incoming Michigan Tech students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Northwestern College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Northwestern College (3.58)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Michigan Tech (87.9%)

Michigan Tech vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan Tech or Northwestern College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northwestern College and Michigan Tech.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan Tech is higher than Northwestern College (65% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn on average $24,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($66,000 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $4,830 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates. ($22,070 vs. $26,900)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan Tech graduates. ($228 vs. $278)
  • More Michigan Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/