Northwestern College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern College is larger than Nebraska Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,654 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northwestern College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Nebraska Wesleyan University? 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University than Northwestern College ($21,122 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 8.5% lower than at Nebraska Wesleyan University ($10,900 vs. $11,915).
• Nebraska Wesleyan University is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $6,862 more per year; $43,572.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at Nebraska Wesleyan University than at Northwestern College (about $6,862 more per year; $43,572.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Nebraska Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nebraska Wesleyan University students is 39.6% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($32,863 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or Nebraska Wesleyan University? 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nebraska Wesleyan University (1160) is 70 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Nebraska Wesleyan University 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; Nebraska Wesleyan University 1020/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Nebraska Wesleyan University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Nebraska Wesleyan University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska Wesleyan University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Nebraska Wesleyan University (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 16.2% at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Northwestern College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Nebraska Wesleyan University? 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University's (64%).
• Graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates have a $92 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($258 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 77%)

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.