Northwestern College vs. University of North Dakota

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Dakota is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (15,019 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 North Dakota is in Grand Forks, ND (Small City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; University of North Dakota 17:1.

Northwestern College vs. University of North Dakota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or University of North Dakota? 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 North Dakota than Northwestern College ($18,076 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 4.3% lower than at University of North Dakota ($10,900 vs. $11,390).
• Northwestern College is 235.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Dakota (about $25,759 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $10,951.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.8% higher at Northwestern College than at University of North Dakota (about $21,140 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $15,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at University of North Dakota (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 253.2% larger than aid received by University of North Dakota students ($23,537 vs. $6,663).

Northwestern College vs. University of North Dakota Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or University of North Dakota? 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 University of North Dakota and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Dakota (1200) is 110 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at University of North Dakota (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; University of North Dakota 1110/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; University of North Dakota 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; University of North Dakota - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Dakota Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of North Dakota (3.5).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than University of North Dakota (76.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 34.7% at University of North Dakota.

Northwestern College vs. University of North Dakota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and University of North Dakota? 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 North Dakota's (54%).
• Graduates from University of North Dakota earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Dakota graduates have a $592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, University of North Dakota graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($253 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Dakota students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 76%)

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.