NNU vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than NNU based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Nazarene University is located in Nampa, ID (Small City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Northwest Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Nazarene University 14:1; Washington State University 15:1.

NNU vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NNU or Washington State? 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 Washington State University than NNU ($18,171 vs. $30,178).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Nazarene University are 11.4% lower than at Washington State University ($12,070 vs. $13,622).
• Northwest Nazarene University is 204.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington State (about $27,403 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $13,391.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at NNU than at Washington State University (about $10,844 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $29,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Nazarene University than at Washington State University (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students is 131% larger than aid received by Washington State University students ($25,146 vs. $10,886).

NNU vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NNU or Washington State? 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 Washington State and NNU.

• Northwest Nazarene University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwest Nazarene University (1120) is the same as at Washington State (1120).
• Incoming NNU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Washington State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 1005/1240; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 22/27; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NNU - Open admission; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NNU Aug 15, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Washington State (3.5).
• Washington State has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than NNU (64.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at NNU vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

NNU vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NNU and Washington State? 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Northwest Nazarene University's (52%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than NNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $5,571 lower median loan debt than NNU graduates ($20,429 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NNU graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NNU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.