Northwestern College vs. KU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kansas is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

Northwestern College vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or KU? 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 University of Kansas than Northwestern College ($19,205 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 4% lower than at University of Kansas ($10,900 vs. $11,358).
• Northwestern College is 203.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $24,608 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at Northwestern College than at University of Kansas (about $6,278 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at University of Kansas (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 103.9% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($23,537 vs. $11,541).

Northwestern College vs. KU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 100 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming KU 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; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 25.5% at KU.

Northwestern College vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and KU? 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 University of Kansas's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $4,592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($211 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 66%)

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.