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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Pacific Dort Whitman College Western Washington University University of Portland| Northwestern College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Northwestern College | PLU | ||
| Location | Orange City, IA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,665 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #633 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Reformed Church in America | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nwciowa.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northwestern College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $35,000 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $35,000 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,700 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $24,737 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $23,319 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Northwestern College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,155 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 1,005 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 28.2% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.57 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/27 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1240 | 988/1258 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Northwestern College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northwestern College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 66% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $38,400 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 85% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,092 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $259 | $266 |
Diversity |
Northwestern College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 7% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 83% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 1% |
Students |
Northwestern College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 55% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 42% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Northwestern College | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,665 students)
Northwestern College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 41.3% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $35,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 41.3% higher at PLU than Northwestern College ($49,472.00 vs. $35,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Northwestern College ($23,841 vs. $24,737)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 16.3% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,700 vs. $12,446)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 69.2% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($39,464 vs. $23,319)
Northwestern College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Northwestern College .
- The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1141) is 24 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming Northwestern College students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at PLU (25)
- 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 (87%) than PLU (80.5%)
Northwestern College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northwestern College or PLU? 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 PLU and Northwestern College.
- The graduation rate at Northwestern College is the same as at Pacific Lutheran University (66% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $13,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $38,400)
- Northwestern College students graduate with a $708 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,092 vs. $25,800)
- Northwestern College graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans 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/