Northwestern College vs. Otterbein University

Should I go to Northwestern College or Otterbein University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or Otterbein University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northwestern College vs. Otterbein University comparison
Northwestern College Otterbein University College 3 College 4
Northwestern College Otterbein University
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Overview

Northwestern College Otterbein University
Location Orange City, IA Westerville, OH
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,651 2,458
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #638 #542
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwciowa.edu otterbein.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College Otterbein University
Tuition (In State) $34,000 $33,824
Tuition (Out of State) $34,000 $33,824
Room & Board $10,200 $11,988
Avg Net Price $25,198 $22,661
Avg Grant Aid $22,228 $24,060
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwestern College Otterbein University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 3,762
Admitted 965 3,148
Acceptance Rate 87.3% 83.7%
Enrolled % 29.8% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 20/27
SAT Range 940/1240 1035/1260
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Northwestern College Otterbein University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College Otterbein University
Graduation Rate 66% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,092 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $259 $279

Diversity

Northwestern College Otterbein University
% Men 39% 39%
% Women 61% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 76%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 10%

Students

Northwestern College Otterbein University
% In-State 55% 88%
% Out-of-State 42% 12%

Campus

Northwestern College Otterbein University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Otterbein University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,458 students vs. 1,651 students)

Northwestern College vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Otterbein University?

  • Northwestern College is 0.5% more expensive to attend than Otterbein University for in-state tuition ($34,000.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.5% higher at Northwestern College than Otterbein University ($34,000.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Otterbein University than Northwestern College ($22,661 vs. $25,198)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 17.5% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($10,200 vs. $11,988)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as Otterbein University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Otterbein University students is 8.2% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($24,060 vs. $22,228)

Northwestern College vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or Otterbein University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Otterbein University or Northwestern College .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1141) is 21 points higher than at Otterbein University (1120)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Otterbein University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Northwestern College (3.57)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (87.3%) than Otterbein University (83.7%)

Northwestern College vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or Otterbein University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Otterbein University and Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Otterbein University (66% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Otterbein University earn on average $6,400 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $38,400)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $1,908 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($25,092 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than Otterbein University graduates. ($259 vs. $279)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otterbein University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/