Northwestern College vs. Concordia University-Nebraska

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Concordia University Nebraska in Seward, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Nebraska is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (3,479 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Concordia University Nebraska is in Seward, NE (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Nebraska is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Concordia University Nebraska 14:1.

Northwestern College vs. Concordia University-Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Concordia University-Nebraska? 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 Concordia University Nebraska than Northwestern College ($24,158 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Nebraska are 0.5% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,850 vs. $10,900).
• Concordia University Nebraska is 10.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $3,930 more per year; $40,640.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at Concordia University-Nebraska than at Northwestern College (about $3,930 more per year; $40,640.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Concordia University Nebraska (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Nebraska students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($29,146 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Concordia University-Nebraska Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or Concordia University-Nebraska? 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 Concordia University-Nebraska and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Nebraska (1140) is 50 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Concordia University-Nebraska).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Concordia University Nebraska 1040/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Concordia University Nebraska 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Concordia University-Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Concordia University-Nebraska Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Concordia University-Nebraska (3.52).
• Concordia University-Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 25.1% at Concordia University-Nebraska.

Northwestern College vs. Concordia University-Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Concordia University-Nebraska? 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 Concordia University Nebraska's (53%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Nebraska earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $158 lower median loan debt than Concordia University-Nebraska graduates ($25,092 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University-Nebraska graduates ($259 vs. $261).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University-Nebraska students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 78%)

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.