Northwestern College vs. Duquesne University

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

Northwestern College Duquesne University
Location Saint Paul, MN Pittsburgh, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 3,253 8,107
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #554 #212
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu duq.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College Duquesne University
Tuition (In State) $34,490 $45,376
Tuition (Out of State) $34,490 $45,376
Room & Board $10,644 $14,744
Avg Net Price $25,704 $33,919
Avg Grant Aid $20,487 $26,800
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

Northwestern College Duquesne University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,349 12,376
Admitted 1,248 10,828
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 87.5%
Enrolled % 31.9% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 25/31
SAT Range 1015/1311 1160/1330
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Northwestern College Duquesne University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College Duquesne University
Graduation Rate 64% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $65,100
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $228 $279

Diversity

Northwestern College Duquesne University
% Men 39% 36%
% Women 61% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 81%
% Black 3% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northwestern College Duquesne University
% In-State 77% 74%
% Out-of-State 22% 24%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Duquesne University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (8,107 students vs. 3,253 students)

Northwestern College vs. Duquesne University Cost Comparison

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

  • Duquesne University is 31.6% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($45,376.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.6% higher at Duquesne University than Northwestern College ($45,376.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern College than Duquesne University ($25,704 vs. $33,919)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 38.5% lower than costs at Duquesne University ($10,644 vs. $14,744)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Duquesne University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 30.8% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($26,800 vs. $20,487)

Northwestern College vs. Duquesne University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Duquesne University (1138) is 36 points higher than at Northwestern College (1102)
  • Incoming Duquesne University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Northwestern College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Northwestern College (3.58)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Duquesne University (87.5%)

Northwestern College vs. Duquesne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Duquesne University is higher than Northwestern College (73% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Duquesne University earn on average $24,000 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($65,100 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $4,930 lower median federal student loan debt than Duquesne University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than Duquesne University graduates. ($228 vs. $279)
  • More Duquesne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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