Northwestern College vs. Capella University

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

 Northwestern College Capella University
Location Saint Paul, MN Minneapolis, MN
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 3,262 43,915
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #551
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website nwc.edu capella.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwestern College Capella University
Tuition (In State) $35,970 $14,436
Tuition (Out of State) $35,970 $14,436
Room & Board $11,148 $6,870
Avg Net Price $26,779 $16,975
Avg Grant Aid $21,360 $5,054
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

 Northwestern College Capella University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,194 -
Admitted 1,097 -
Acceptance Rate 91.9%
Enrolled % 33.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Challenging Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29
SAT Range 981/1293
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Northwestern College Capella University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 36:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (62%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (32%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Health Professions (2%)
  • Psychology (1%)

Outcomes

 Northwestern College Capella University
Graduation Rate 64% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $70,400
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 28%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $28,056
Median Loan Payment $228 $290

Diversity

 Northwestern College Capella University
% Men 1% 10%
% Women 1% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 84% 45%
% Black 3% 26%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 16%

Students

 Northwestern College Capella University
% In-State 74% 0%
% Out-of-State 26% 100%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Capella University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (43,915 students vs. 3,262 students)

Northwestern College vs. Capella University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Capella University?

  • Northwestern College is 149.2% more expensive to attend than Capella University for in-state tuition ($35,970.00 vs. $14,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 149.2% higher at Northwestern College than Capella University ($35,970.00 vs. $14,436.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Capella University than Northwestern College ($16,975 vs. $26,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Capella University are 62.3% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($6,870 vs. $11,148)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Capella University (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 322.6% larger than aid received Capella University ($21,360 vs. $5,054)

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

Northwestern College vs. Capella University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or Capella 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 Capella University and Northwestern College.

  • Graduates from Capella University earn on average $29,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($70,400 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $5,986 lower median federal student loan debt than Capella University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $28,056)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than Capella University graduates. ($228 vs. $290)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Capella University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 28%)

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