NNU vs. BYU-I

Should I go to Northwest Nazarene University or Brigham Young University Idaho? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NNU or BYU-I 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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Northwest Nazarene University vs. Brigham Young University Idaho comparison
Northwest Nazarene University Brigham Young University Idaho College 3 College 4
Northwest Nazarene University Brigham Young University Idaho
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Overview

 NNU BYU-I
Location Nampa, ID Rexburg, ID
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,774 42,996
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #570 #818
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nnu.edu byui.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NNU BYU-I
Tuition (In State) $38,570 $4,656
Tuition (Out of State) $38,570 $4,656
Room & Board $11,550 $5,068
Avg Net Price $27,291 $7,295
Avg Grant Aid $23,126 $6,043
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 47%

Admission

 NNU BYU-I
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,571 10,303
Admitted 2,248 9,989
Acceptance Rate 63%Open 97%
Enrolled % 10.9%Open 43.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.34
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/31 20/26
SAT Range 940/1210 980/1200
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 15, 2026 Feb 15, 2026

Academics

 NNU BYU-I
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (28%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

 NNU BYU-I
Graduation Rate 52% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,000 $46,700
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 72%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $11,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $113

Diversity

 NNU BYU-I
% Men 11% 1%
% Women 24% 1%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 79%
% Black 2% 1%
% Hispanic 10% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 6% 3%

Students

 NNU BYU-I
% In-State 55% 26%
% Out-of-State 42% 71%

Campus

 NNU BYU-I
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Brigham Young University Idaho is larger than than NNU based on total student enrollment (42,996 students vs. 1,774 students)

NNU vs. BYU-I Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NNU or BYU-I?

  • Northwest Nazarene University is 728.4% more expensive to attend than BYU-I for in-state tuition ($38,570.00 vs. $4,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 728.4% higher at NNU than Brigham Young University Idaho ($38,570.00 vs. $4,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Brigham Young University Idaho than NNU ($7,295 vs. $27,291)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University Idaho are 127.9% lower than costs at Northwest Nazarene University ($5,068 vs. $11,550)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwest Nazarene University than Brigham Young University Idaho (99% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students is 282.7% larger than aid received Brigham Young University Idaho ($23,126 vs. $6,043)

NNU vs. BYU-I Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NNU or BYU-I? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between BYU-I or NNU .

  • The average SAT score at Northwest Nazarene University (1056) is 16 points higher than at BYU-I (1040)
  • Incoming NNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at BYU-I (23)
  • Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at BYU-I (3.34)
  • BYU-I has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than NNU (63%)

NNU vs. BYU-I Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NNU or BYU-I? 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 BYU-I and NNU.

  • The graduation rate at NNU is the same as at Brigham Young University Idaho (52% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Brigham Young University Idaho earn on average $3,700 more per year than NNU graduates after ten years. ($46,700 vs. $43,000)
  • Brigham Young University Idaho students graduate with a $15,000 lower median federal student loan debt than NNU graduates. ($11,000 vs. $26,000)
  • BYU-I graduates are paying $155 less per month on federal student loans than NNU graduates. ($113 vs. $268)
  • More BYU-I graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NNU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 66%)

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