NNU vs. Cornerstone University

Should I go to Northwest Nazarene University or Cornerstone University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NNU or Cornerstone University 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Boise State Idaho Calvin University SAU CMU DUofC University of Portland SPU
Northwest Nazarene University vs. Cornerstone University comparison
Northwest Nazarene University Cornerstone University College 3 College 4
Northwest Nazarene University Cornerstone University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 NNU Cornerstone University
Location Nampa, ID Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 1,774 1,735
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #570 #859
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nnu.edu cornerstone.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NNU Cornerstone University
Tuition (In State) $38,570 $28,300
Tuition (Out of State) $38,570 $28,300
Room & Board $11,550 $12,200
Avg Net Price $27,291 $23,147
Avg Grant Aid $23,126 $17,372
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 NNU Cornerstone University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,571 2,011
Admitted 2,248 1,472
Acceptance Rate 63%Open 73.2%
Enrolled % 10.9%Open 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.28
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/31 20/25
SAT Range 940/1210 970/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 NNU Cornerstone University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (56%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

 NNU Cornerstone University
Graduation Rate 52% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,000 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

 NNU Cornerstone University
% Men 11% 8%
% Women 24% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 78%
% Black 2% 13%
% Hispanic 10% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

 NNU Cornerstone University
% In-State 55% 80%
% Out-of-State 42% 14%

Campus

 NNU Cornerstone University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwest Nazarene University is larger than than Cornerstone University based on total student enrollment (1,774 students vs. 1,735 students)

NNU vs. Cornerstone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NNU or Cornerstone University?

  • Northwest Nazarene University is 36.3% more expensive to attend than Cornerstone University for in-state tuition ($38,570.00 vs. $28,300.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.3% higher at NNU than Cornerstone University ($38,570.00 vs. $28,300.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornerstone University than NNU ($23,147 vs. $27,291)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Nazarene University are 5.6% lower than costs at Cornerstone University ($11,550 vs. $12,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cornerstone University than Northwest Nazarene University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students is 33.1% larger than aid received Cornerstone University ($23,126 vs. $17,372)

NNU vs. Cornerstone University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwest Nazarene University (1056) is 23 points higher than at Cornerstone University (1033)
  • Incoming NNU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Cornerstone University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Cornerstone University (3.28)
  • Cornerstone University has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than NNU (63%)

NNU vs. Cornerstone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NNU or Cornerstone University? 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 Cornerstone University and NNU.

  • The graduation rate at NNU is higher than Cornerstone University (52% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Northwest Nazarene University earn on average $4,200 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates after ten years. ($43,000 vs. $38,800)
  • Cornerstone University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than NNU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Cornerstone University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than NNU graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More NNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornerstone University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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