Northwestern College vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

Northwestern College vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College than Northwestern College ($23,691 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 18.7% lower than at Cedar Crest College ($10,900 vs. $13,406).
• Cedar Crest College is 26.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $9,604 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Northwestern College (about $9,604 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Cedar Crest College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 41.6% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($33,323 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cedar Crest College (1120) is 30 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Cedar Crest College (3.42).
• Cedar Crest College has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

Northwestern College vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $2,658 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($259 vs. $286).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 59%)

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.