Northwestern College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University

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

Northwestern College Nebraska Wesleyan University
Location Saint Paul, MN Lincoln, NE
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 3,253 1,688
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #554 #393
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu nebrwesleyan.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College Nebraska Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $34,490 $38,898
Tuition (Out of State) $34,490 $38,898
Room & Board $10,644 $11,374
Avg Net Price $25,704 $25,201
Avg Grant Aid $20,487 $26,523
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwestern College Nebraska Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,349 2,370
Admitted 1,248 1,931
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 81.5%
Enrolled % 31.9% 18.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 22/29
SAT Range 1015/1311 1010/1240
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 Nebraska Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College Nebraska Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 64% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $51,800
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $228 $258

Diversity

Northwestern College Nebraska Wesleyan University
% Men 39% 43%
% Women 61% 57%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 85%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Northwestern College Nebraska Wesleyan University
% In-State 77% 68%
% Out-of-State 22% 30%

Campus

Northwestern College Nebraska Wesleyan 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

  • Northwestern College is larger than than Nebraska Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,253 students vs. 1,688 students)

Northwestern College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Nebraska Wesleyan University?

  • Nebraska Wesleyan University is 12.8% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($38,898.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.8% higher at Nebraska Wesleyan University than Northwestern College ($38,898.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Nebraska Wesleyan University than Northwestern College ($25,201 vs. $25,704)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 6.9% lower than costs at Nebraska Wesleyan University ($10,644 vs. $11,374)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as Nebraska Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nebraska Wesleyan University students is 29.5% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($26,523 vs. $20,487)

Northwestern College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Nebraska Wesleyan University (1121) is 19 points higher than at Northwestern College (1102)
  • Incoming Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Northwestern College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Northwestern College (3.58)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Nebraska Wesleyan University (81.5%)

Northwestern College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University and Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is the same as at Nebraska Wesleyan University (64% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University earn on average $10,700 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $2,930 lower median federal student loan debt than Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $25,000)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates. ($228 vs. $258)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

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