Northwestern College vs. The College of Saint Scholastica

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of Saint Scholastica is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,930 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); The College of Saint Scholastica is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Saint Scholastica is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; The College of Saint Scholastica 12:1.

Northwestern College vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica than Northwestern College ($26,083 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 7.9% lower than at The College of Saint Scholastica ($10,900 vs. $11,830).
• The College of Saint Scholastica is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $5,068 more per year; $41,778.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at The College of Saint Scholastica than at Northwestern College (about $5,068 more per year; $41,778.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at The College of Saint Scholastica (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Saint Scholastica students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($28,555 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Saint Scholastica (1210) is 120 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming The College of Saint Scholastica 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; The College of Saint Scholastica 1110/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; The College of Saint Scholastica 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; The College of Saint Scholastica - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at The College of Saint Scholastica (3.5).
• The College of Saint Scholastica has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 16.9% at The College of Saint Scholastica.

Northwestern College vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica's (63%).
• Graduates from The College of Saint Scholastica earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of Saint Scholastica graduates have a $3,938 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($21,154 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, The College of Saint Scholastica graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($218 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The College of Saint Scholastica students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 71%)

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.