Northwest University vs. University of Puget Sound

Should I go to Northwest University or University of Puget Sound? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwest University or University of Puget Sound 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 University vs. University of Puget Sound comparison
Northwest University University of Puget Sound College 3 College 4
Northwest University University of Puget Sound
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Overview

Northwest University University of Puget Sound
Location Kirkland, WA Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 1,014 2,023
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #360 #182
Religious Affiliation Assemblies of God Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northwestu.edu pugetsound.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwest University University of Puget Sound
Tuition (In State) $34,500 $57,330
Tuition (Out of State) $34,500 $57,330
Room & Board $10,140 $14,430
Avg Net Price $23,722 $41,363
Avg Grant Aid $22,486 $32,482
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwest University University of Puget Sound
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 383 5,345
Admitted 361 4,418
Acceptance Rate 94.3% 82.7%
Enrolled % 43.2% 9.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 27/32
SAT Range 1050/1320 1170/1390
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, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Northwest University University of Puget Sound
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Northwest University University of Puget Sound
Graduation Rate 50% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,400 $57,600
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,532 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $279

Diversity

Northwest University University of Puget Sound
% Men 35% 40%
% Women 65% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 74%
% Black 5% 1%
% Hispanic 8% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 8%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Northwest University University of Puget Sound
% In-State 79% 23%
% Out-of-State 18% 76%

Campus

Northwest University University of Puget Sound
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Puget Sound is larger than than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (2,023 students vs. 1,014 students)

Northwest University vs. University of Puget Sound Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest University or University of Puget Sound?

  • University of Puget Sound is 66.2% more expensive to attend than Northwest University for in-state tuition ($57,330.00 vs. $34,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 66.2% higher at University of Puget Sound than Northwest University ($57,330.00 vs. $34,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest University than University of Puget Sound ($23,722 vs. $41,363)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 42.3% lower than costs at University of Puget Sound ($10,140 vs. $14,430)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwest University as University of Puget Sound (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Puget Sound students is 44.5% larger than aid received Northwest University ($32,482 vs. $22,486)

Northwest University vs. University of Puget Sound Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman University of Puget Sound students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than University of Puget Sound (82.7%)

Northwest University vs. University of Puget Sound Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwest University or University of Puget Sound? 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 University of Puget Sound and Northwest University.

  • The graduation rate at University of Puget Sound is higher than Northwest University (73% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from University of Puget Sound earn on average $16,200 more per year than Northwest University graduates after ten years. ($57,600 vs. $41,400)
  • Northwest University students graduate with a $5,468 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($21,532 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwest University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More University of Puget Sound graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 62%)

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