Northwestern College vs. AMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than AMU based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Ave Maria University is in Ave Maria, FL (Distant Rural setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ave Maria University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Ave Maria University 17:1.

Northwestern College vs. AMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or AMU? 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 Ave Maria University than Northwestern College ($25,294 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 24.5% lower than at Ave Maria University ($10,900 vs. $14,432).
• Northwestern College is 21.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than AMU (about $6,512 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $30,198.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Northwestern College than at Ave Maria University (about $6,512 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $30,198.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Ave Maria University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 12.4% larger than aid received by Ave Maria University students ($23,537 vs. $20,936).

Northwestern College vs. AMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or AMU? 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 AMU and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ave Maria University (1130) is 40 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming AMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Ave Maria University 1018/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Ave Maria University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; AMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AMU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than AMU (41.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 32.8% at AMU.

Northwestern College vs. AMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and AMU? 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).

• Northwestern College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Ave Maria University's (41%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ave Maria University graduates have a $2,664 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,428 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, AMU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($231 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AMU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 53%)

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.