Northwestern College vs. Guilford College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Guilford College in Greensboro, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northwestern College vs. Guilford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Guilford 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 Guilford College than Northwestern College ($22,270 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 18.7% lower than at Guilford College ($10,900 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 12.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $4,652 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at Guilford College than at Northwestern College (about $4,652 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Guilford College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 42% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($33,419 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Guilford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 100 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Guilford College 1120/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Guilford College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Guilford College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Guilford College (80%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 10.1% at Guilford College.

Northwestern College vs. Guilford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Guilford 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 Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from Guilford College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,543 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($25,092 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($259 vs. $275).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 51%)

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.