Northwestern College vs. Carroll University

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

Northwestern College Carroll University
Location Saint Paul, MN Waukesha, WI
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 3,253 3,283
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #554 #534
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu carrollu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College Carroll University
Tuition (In State) $34,490 $35,360
Tuition (Out of State) $34,490 $35,360
Room & Board $10,644 $11,564
Avg Net Price $25,704 $25,485
Avg Grant Aid $20,487 $23,933
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwestern College Carroll University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,349 4,728
Admitted 1,248 3,411
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 72.1%
Enrolled % 31.9% 19.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 22/28
SAT Range 1015/1311 1060/1340
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, 2025

Academics

Northwestern College Carroll University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College Carroll University
Graduation Rate 64% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $228 $279

Diversity

Northwestern College Carroll University
% Men 39% 32%
% Women 61% 68%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 83%
% Black 3% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northwestern College Carroll University
% In-State 77% 66%
% Out-of-State 22% 30%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Carroll University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (3,283 students vs. 3,253 students)

Northwestern College vs. Carroll University Cost Comparison

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

  • Carroll University is 2.5% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($35,360.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.5% higher at Carroll University than Northwestern College ($35,360.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carroll University than Northwestern College ($25,485 vs. $25,704)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 8.6% lower than costs at Carroll University ($10,644 vs. $11,564)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as Carroll University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll University students is 16.8% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($23,933 vs. $20,487)

Northwestern College vs. Carroll University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 15 points higher than at Carroll University (1087)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at Carroll University (24)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Carroll University (3.39)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Carroll University (72.1%)

Northwestern College vs. Carroll University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Carroll University (64% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Carroll University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $4,930 lower median federal student loan debt than Carroll University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than Carroll University graduates. ($228 vs. $279)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carroll University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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