Northwestern College vs. Saint John's

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern College is larger than Saint John's based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,572 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Saint Johns University is in Collegeville, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Johns University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Saint Johns University 12:1.

Northwestern College vs. Saint John's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Saint John's? 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 John's ($26,347 vs. $28,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 12.3% lower than at Saint Johns University ($10,900 vs. $12,430).
• Saint Johns University is 52% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $19,106 more per year; $55,816.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52% higher at Saint John's than at Northwestern College (about $19,106 more per year; $55,816.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Saint Johns University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Johns University students is 70.1% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($40,035 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Saint John's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or Saint John's? 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 John's and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern College (1090) is 10 points higher than at Saint John's (1080).
• Incoming Saint John's 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 Johns University 941/1228.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Saint Johns University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Saint John's - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Saint John's (3.51).
• Saint John's has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 21.9% at Saint John's.

Northwestern College vs. Saint John's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Saint John's? 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).

• Saint Johns University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Saint Johns University earn a median of about $26,000 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,400 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 John's graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint John's graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Saint John's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 85%)

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.