Northwestern College vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Salem College 9:1.

Northwestern College vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Salem College? 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 Salem College than Northwestern College ($18,668 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 20.5% lower than at Salem College ($10,900 vs. $13,710).
• Northwestern College is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $2,862 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Northwestern College than at Salem College (about $2,862 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($30,001 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 60 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Salem College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Northwestern College vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Salem College? 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 Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Northwestern College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 53%)

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.