Northwestern College vs. Hastings College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern College is larger than Hastings College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 956 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northwestern College vs. Hastings College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Hastings 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 Hastings College than Northwestern College ($24,406 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 9.5% lower than at Hastings College ($10,900 vs. $12,050).
• Hastings College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $1,060 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Hastings College than at Northwestern College (about $1,060 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Hastings College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hastings College students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($27,107 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Hastings College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern College (1090) is 20 points higher than at Hastings College (1070).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Hastings College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Hastings College 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Hastings College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Hastings College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Hastings College (3.5).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Hastings College (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 17.7% at Hastings College.

Northwestern College vs. Hastings College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Hastings 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 Hastings College's (56%).
• Graduates from Hastings College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 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 Hastings College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hastings College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hastings College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 74%)

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.