Northwestern College vs. Abilene Christian University

Should I go to Northwestern College or Abilene Christian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or Abilene Christian University 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. Abilene Christian University comparison
Northwestern College Abilene Christian University College 3 College 4
Abilene Christian University
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Overview

Northwestern College Abilene Christian University
Location Saint Paul, MN Abilene, TX
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 3,262 5,114
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #551 #459
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu acu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College Abilene Christian University
Tuition (In State) $35,970 $42,100
Tuition (Out of State) $35,970 $42,100
Room & Board $11,148 $12,500
Avg Net Price $26,779 $28,311
Avg Grant Aid $21,360 $27,914
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwestern College Abilene Christian University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,194 10,510
Admitted 1,097 6,714
Acceptance Rate 91.9% 63.9%
Enrolled % 33.2% 12.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/29 22/28
SAT Range 981/1293 1060/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Feb 15, 2026

Academics

Northwestern College Abilene Christian University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (24%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College Abilene Christian University
Graduation Rate 64% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $25,325
Median Loan Payment $228 $261

Diversity

Northwestern College Abilene Christian University
% Men 1% 10%
% Women 1% 28%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 84% 64%
% Black 3% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Northwestern College Abilene Christian University
% In-State 74% 82%
% Out-of-State 26% 15%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Abilene Christian University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (5,114 students vs. 3,262 students)

Northwestern College vs. Abilene Christian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Abilene Christian University?

  • Abilene Christian University is 17% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($42,100.00 vs. $35,970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17% higher at Abilene Christian University than Northwestern College ($42,100.00 vs. $35,970.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern College than Abilene Christian University ($26,779 vs. $28,311)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 12.1% lower than costs at Abilene Christian University ($11,148 vs. $12,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as Abilene Christian University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Abilene Christian University students is 30.7% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($27,914 vs. $21,360)

Northwestern College vs. Abilene Christian University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 10 points higher than at Abilene Christian University (1092)
  • Incoming Abilene Christian University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Northwestern College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Abilene Christian University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Northwestern College (3.58)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Abilene Christian University (63.9%)

Northwestern College vs. Abilene Christian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or Abilene Christian University? 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 Abilene Christian University and Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Abilene Christian University (64% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Abilene Christian University earn on average $4,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $3,255 lower median federal student loan debt than Abilene Christian University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $25,325)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Abilene Christian University graduates. ($228 vs. $261)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Abilene Christian University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/