Northwestern College vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Stephens College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Northwestern College vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Stephens 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 Stephens College than Northwestern College ($23,194 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 18.4% lower than at Stephens College ($10,900 vs. $13,366).
• Northwestern College is 29.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $8,410 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at Northwestern College than at Stephens College (about $8,410 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Stephens College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($23,537 vs. $23,341).

Northwestern College vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 110 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 Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Northwestern College vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Stephens 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 Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Northwestern College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 63%)

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.