Northwestern College vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

Northwestern College vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or W&J? 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 Washington & Jefferson College than Northwestern College ($22,702 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 25.9% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($10,900 vs. $14,710).
• Northwestern College is 24.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than W&J (about $7,318 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.9% higher at Northwestern College than at Washington & Jefferson College (about $7,318 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Washington & Jefferson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students ($23,537 vs. $20,152).

Northwestern College vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or W&J? 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 W&J and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington & Jefferson College (1130) is 40 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at W&J (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at W&J (3.54).
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 12.6% at W&J.

Northwestern College vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 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 W&J graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former W&J students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 79%)

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.