Northwestern College vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Northwestern College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or PLU? 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 Pacific Lutheran University than Northwestern College ($22,299 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 16.2% lower than at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,900 vs. $13,008).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 42.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $15,544 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.3% higher at PLU than at Northwestern College (about $15,544 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 72.4% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($40,573 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. PLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Lutheran University (1150) is 60 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Northwestern College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Northwestern College is the same as at Pacific Lutheran University (66% vs. 66%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $708 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($25,092 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($259 vs. $266).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 74%)

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.