Northwestern College vs. Curry College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Curry College in Milton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Curry College is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (1,994 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Curry College is in Milton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Curry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Curry College 12:1.

Northwestern College vs. Curry College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Curry 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 Northwestern College than Curry College ($26,347 vs. $29,917).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 42.2% lower than at Curry College ($10,900 vs. $18,850).
• Curry College is 30.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $11,260 more per year; $47,970.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.7% higher at Curry College than at Northwestern College (about $11,260 more per year; $47,970.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Curry College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Curry College students is 44.7% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($34,055 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Curry College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Curry College (1140) is 50 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Curry College 1050/1230.
• 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; Curry College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Curry College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Curry College (3.01).
• Curry College has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 11.5% at Curry College.

Northwestern College vs. Curry College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Curry 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 Curry College's (48%).
• Graduates from Curry College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $908 lower median loan debt than Curry College graduates ($25,092 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Curry College graduates ($259 vs. $268).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Curry College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 68%)

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.