Northwestern College vs. K-State

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kansas State University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (20,295 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Kansas State University is in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Kansas State University 19:1.

Northwestern College vs. K-State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or K-State? 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 Kansas State University than Northwestern College ($20,527 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 15% lower than at Kansas State University ($10,900 vs. $12,830).
• Northwestern College is 227.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than K-State (about $25,489 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $11,221.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at Northwestern College than at Kansas State University (about $8,142 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $28,568.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Kansas State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 153.9% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($23,537 vs. $9,270).

Northwestern College vs. K-State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or K-State? 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 K-State and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kansas State University (1160) is 70 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at K-State (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Kansas State University 1060/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Kansas State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; K-State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• K-State has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 27.5% at K-State.

Northwestern College vs. K-State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and K-State? 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 Kansas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from Kansas State University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kansas State University graduates have a $2,592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, K-State graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($232 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former K-State students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 70%)

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.