Northwestern College vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Northwestern College vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than Northwestern College ($21,067 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 4.7% lower than at Spring Arbor University ($10,900 vs. $11,440).
• Northwestern College is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $2,696 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Northwestern College than at Spring Arbor University (about $2,696 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($23,877 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. SAU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 40 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Northwestern College vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $1,049 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($248 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 58%)

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.