Northwestern College vs. BLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Bethany Lutheran College is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Bethany Lutheran College 12:1.

Northwestern College vs. BLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or BLC? 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 Bethany Lutheran College than Northwestern College ($21,127 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 20.9% lower than at Northwestern College ($8,620 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 17.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BLC (about $5,350 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at Northwestern College than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $5,350 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Bethany Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($23,537 vs. $19,865).

Northwestern College vs. BLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 20 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at BLC (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Bethany Lutheran College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; BLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at BLC (3.51).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 34% at BLC.

Northwestern College vs. BLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and BLC? 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 Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from Northwestern College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $1,842 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($240 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BLC students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 80%)

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.