Northwestern College vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

Northwestern College vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($26,347 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 34.9% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($10,900 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 48.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $17,840 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.6% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Northwestern College (about $17,840 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Hampden Sydney College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 73% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($40,720 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hampden Sydney College (1140) is 50 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Hampden Sydney College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (3.53).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

Northwestern College vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HSC- Hampden-Sydney students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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.