Northwestern College vs. MLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Martin Luther College is in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Martin Luther College 10:1.

Northwestern College vs. MLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or MLC? 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 Martin Luther College than Northwestern College ($18,974 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 27.5% lower than at Northwestern College ($7,900 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 102.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MLC (about $18,590 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.6% higher at Northwestern College than at Martin Luther College (about $18,590 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Martin Luther College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 129% larger than aid received by Martin Luther College students ($23,537 vs. $10,276).

Northwestern College vs. MLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Martin Luther College (1170) is 80 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming MLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Martin Luther College 1078/1256.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Martin Luther College 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; MLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at MLC (3.56).
• MLC has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 88.3% at MLC.

Northwestern College vs. MLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and MLC? 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).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Northwestern College earn a median of about $400 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Martin Luther College graduates have a $1,967 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,125 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, MLC graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($239 vs. $259).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 85%)

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.