Northwestern College vs. Winona State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Winona State University in Winona, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winona State University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (6,045 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Winona State University is in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Winona State University 14:1.

Northwestern College vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Winona State University? 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 Winona State University than Northwestern College ($18,289 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 11.4% lower than at Northwestern College ($9,654 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 247.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Winona State University (about $26,134 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $10,576.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.1% higher at Northwestern College than at Winona State University (about $19,402 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $17,308.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Winona State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 337.9% larger than aid received by Winona State University students ($23,537 vs. $5,375).

Northwestern College vs. Winona State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or Winona State University? 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 Winona State University and Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Winona State University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Winona State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Winona State University 980/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Winona State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Winona State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Winona State University Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Winona State University (3.44).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Winona State University (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 24.2% at Winona State University.

Northwestern College vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and Winona State University? 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 Winona State University's (54%).
• Graduates from Winona State University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winona State University graduates have a $1,092 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, Winona State University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($248 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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.