Northwestern College vs. UNK

Should I go to Northwestern College or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or UNK is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Northwestern College vs. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
Northwestern College University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
Northwestern College University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Overview

 Northwestern College UNK
Location Orange City, IA Kearney, NE
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,651 6,041
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #638 #571
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwciowa.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwestern College UNK
Tuition (In State) $34,000 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $34,000 $12,036
Room & Board $10,200 $11,390
Avg Net Price $25,198 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $22,228 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Northwestern College UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 6,794
Admitted 965 5,842
Acceptance Rate 87.3% 86%
Enrolled % 29.8% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 940/1240 1000/1200
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Northwestern College UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 Northwestern College UNK
Graduation Rate 66% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,092 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $259 $219

Diversity

 Northwestern College UNK
% Men 39% 34%
% Women 61% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 79%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

 Northwestern College UNK
% In-State 55% 85%
% Out-of-State 42% 11%

Campus

 Northwestern College UNK
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (6,041 students vs. 1,651 students)

Northwestern College vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or UNK?

  • Northwestern College is 446.6% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($34,000.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 182.5% higher at Northwestern College than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($34,000.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than Northwestern College ($16,564 vs. $25,198)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 11.7% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,200 vs. $11,390)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 205.2% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($22,228 vs. $7,282)

Northwestern College vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or UNK? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNK or Northwestern College .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1141) is 92 points higher than at UNK (1049)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at UNK (23)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (87.3%) than UNK (86%)

Northwestern College vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or UNK? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNK and Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than University of Nebraska at Kearney (66% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn on average $5,000 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $38,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $3,842 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwestern College graduates. ($21,250 vs. $25,092)
  • UNK graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Northwestern College graduates. ($219 vs. $259)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNK 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/