Northwestern College vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Northwestern College vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University than Northwestern College ($24,561 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 9.2% lower than at Northwestern College ($9,894 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 72.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $15,430 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.5% higher at Northwestern College than at Southern Virginia University (about $15,430 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 134.4% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($23,537 vs. $10,041).

Northwestern College vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Virginia University (1100) is 10 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Northwestern College vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $1,438 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,654 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($244 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU 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.