Northwestern College vs. Converse University

Deciding between Northwestern College and Converse University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Northwestern College
Converse University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • Converse University Spartanburg, SC
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • Converse University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • Converse University 1,787
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • Converse University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • Converse University #685
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Northwestern College Reformed Church in America
  • Converse University -
  • Status
  • Northwestern College Non-profit
  • Converse University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Northwestern College
  • Converse University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Converse University $25,240
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Converse University $25,240
  • Room & Board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • Converse University $13,380
  • Average Net Price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • Converse University $19,061
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • Converse University $18,575
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • Converse University 96%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • Converse University 2,979
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • Converse University 2,018
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • Converse University 67.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • Converse University 12%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • Converse University 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • Converse University 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • Converse University 3.89
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • Converse University A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • Converse University Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Northwestern College
  • Converse University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Northwestern College 20/27
  • Converse University 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Northwestern College 940/1240
  • Converse University 1010/1250
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • Converse University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • Converse University Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • Converse University 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Converse University
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Business (9%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • Converse University 60%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • Converse University $33,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • Converse University 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • Converse University $26,952
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • Converse University $278
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Northwestern College 40%
  • Converse University 25%
  • % Women
  • Northwestern College 60%
  • Converse University 75%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Northwestern College Very Low
  • Converse University Low
  • HBCU
  • Northwestern College No
  • Converse University No
  • % White
  • Northwestern College 83%
  • Converse University 70%
  • % Asian
  • Northwestern College 1%
  • Converse University 1%
  • % Black
  • Northwestern College 2%
  • Converse University 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • Northwestern College 5%
  • Converse University 5%
  • % Native American
  • Northwestern College 0%
  • Converse University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Northwestern College 0%
  • Converse University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Northwestern College 2%
  • Converse University 4%
  • % International
  • Northwestern College 3%
  • Converse University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Northwestern College 4%
  • Converse University 10%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Northwestern College 54%
  • Converse University 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Northwestern College 44%
  • Converse University 24%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Northwestern College Yes
  • Converse University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Northwestern College No
  • Converse University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Northwestern College Yes
  • Converse University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Northwestern College No
  • Converse University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Northwestern College No
  • Converse University No

Comparable Facts

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

Converse University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (1,787 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Converse University is in Spartanburg, SC (Small City setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Converse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Converse University 12:1.

Northwestern College vs. Converse University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Converse University? 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 Converse University than Northwestern College ($19,061 vs. $26,347).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 18.5% lower than at Converse University ($10,900 vs. $13,380).
  • Northwestern College is 45.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Converse University (about $11,470 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $25,240.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 45.4% higher at Northwestern College than at Converse University (about $11,470 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $25,240.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Converse University (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 26.7% larger than aid received by Converse University students ($23,537 vs. $18,575).

Northwestern College vs. Converse University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Converse University (1130) is 40 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 Converse University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Converse University 1010/1250.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Converse University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Converse University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Converse University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Converse University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Converse University (67.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 12% at Converse University.

Northwestern College vs. Converse University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Converse University? 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 Converse University's (60%).
  • Graduates from Northwestern College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Converse University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,860 lower median loan debt than Converse University graduates ($25,092 vs. $26,952).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Converse University graduates ($259 vs. $278).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Converse University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 58%)

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.