Northwestern College vs. Saint Francis University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Francis University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,963 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Saint Francis University is in Loretto, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Francis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Saint Francis University 16:1.

Northwestern College vs. Saint Francis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Saint Francis 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 Northwestern College than Saint Francis University ($26,347 vs. $28,326).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 19.3% lower than at Saint Francis University ($10,900 vs. $13,500).
• Saint Francis University is 19.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $7,290 more per year; $44,000.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Saint Francis University than at Northwestern College (about $7,290 more per year; $44,000.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Saint Francis University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Francis University students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($31,610 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Saint Francis University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Francis University (1140) is 50 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Saint Francis 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; Saint Francis University 1050/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Saint Francis University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Saint Francis University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Francis University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Saint Francis University (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 19.6% at Saint Francis University.

Northwestern College vs. Saint Francis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University's (64%).
• Graduates from Saint Francis University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Saint Francis University graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Francis University graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Francis University 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.