Northwestern College vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern College is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Northwestern College vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Wartburg 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 Wartburg College than Northwestern College ($24,031 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 7.2% lower than at Wartburg College ($10,900 vs. $11,750).
• Northwestern College is 39.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $10,460 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.8% higher at Northwestern College than at Wartburg College (about $10,460 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 71.4% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($40,336 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern College (1090) is 20 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College 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; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Northwestern College vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Wartburg 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 Wartburg College's (63%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wartburg College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

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.