Northwestern College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Deciding between Northwestern College and University of Northwestern St Paul? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Northwestern College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 3,234
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul #592
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Northwestern College Reformed Church in America
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Other Protestant
  • Status
  • Northwestern College Non-profit
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Northwestern College
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $37,920
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $37,920
  • Room & Board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $11,534
  • Average Net Price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $29,117
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $22,132
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 100%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Northwestern College Calculate
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Calculate
  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1,301
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1,216
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 93.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 30.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 3.58
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Northwestern College
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul
  • ACT Range
  • Northwestern College 20/27
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 20/28
  • SAT Range
  • Northwestern College 940/1240
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 868/1271
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $41,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $22,070
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $228
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Northwestern College 40%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 42%
  • % Women
  • Northwestern College 60%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Northwestern College Very Low
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Northwestern College No
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul No
  • % White
  • Northwestern College 83%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 84%
  • % Asian
  • Northwestern College 1%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 4%
  • % Black
  • Northwestern College 2%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Northwestern College 5%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 4%
  • % Native American
  • Northwestern College 0%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Northwestern College 0%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Northwestern College 2%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 3%
  • % International
  • Northwestern College 3%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Northwestern College 4%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Northwestern College 54%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 74%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Northwestern College 44%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 25%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Northwestern College Yes
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Northwestern College No
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul No
  • Meal Plan
  • Northwestern College Yes
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Northwestern College No
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Northwestern College No
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul No
  • Learn More
  • Northwestern College Details
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northwestern St Paul is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (3,234 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

Northwestern College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul ($26,347 vs. $29,117).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 5.5% lower than at University of Northwestern St Paul ($10,900 vs. $11,534).
  • University of Northwestern St Paul is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $1,210 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $36,710.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at University of Northwestern-St Paul than at Northwestern College (about $1,210 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $36,710.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at University of Northwestern St Paul (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 6.3% larger than aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students ($23,537 vs. $22,132).

Northwestern College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and Northwestern College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern College (1090) is 20 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
  • Incoming University of Northwestern-St Paul 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; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

Northwestern College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
  • Graduates from University of Northwestern St Paul earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,100 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $3,022 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,070 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($228 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northwestern-St Paul students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 78%)

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.