Northwestern College vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than Saint Benedict based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

Northwestern College vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Saint Benedict? 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 Northwestern College than Saint Benedict ($26,347 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 13.1% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($10,900 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 51.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $19,046 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.9% higher at Saint Benedict than at Northwestern College (about $19,046 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at College of Saint Benedict (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 70.1% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($40,048 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 50 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Saint Benedict (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; College of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

Northwestern College vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Saint Benedict? 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).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,251 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($25,092 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($259 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 85%)

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.