Northwestern College vs. Rider University

Should I go to Northwestern College or Rider University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or Rider 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Northwestern College vs. Rider University comparison
Northwestern College Rider University College 3 College 4
Rider University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Northwestern College Rider University
Location Saint Paul, MN Lawrenceville, NJ
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,253 4,054
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #554 #263
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu rider.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College Rider University
Tuition (In State) $34,490 $36,000
Tuition (Out of State) $34,490 $36,000
Room & Board $10,644 $16,130
Avg Net Price $25,704 $26,388
Avg Grant Aid $20,487 $26,336
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Northwestern College Rider University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,349 9,340
Admitted 1,248 7,858
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 84.1%
Enrolled % 31.9% 9.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 21/29
SAT Range 1015/1311 1100/1300
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 Rider University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College Rider University
Graduation Rate 64% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $53,000
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $228 $266

Diversity

Northwestern College Rider University
% Men 39% 41%
% Women 61% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 84% 62%
% Black 3% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Northwestern College Rider University
% In-State 77% 74%
% Out-of-State 22% 23%

Campus

Northwestern College Rider 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

  • Rider University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (4,054 students vs. 3,253 students)

Northwestern College vs. Rider University Cost Comparison

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

  • Rider University is 4.4% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.4% higher at Rider University than Northwestern College ($36,000.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern College than Rider University ($25,704 vs. $26,388)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 51.5% lower than costs at Rider University ($10,644 vs. $16,130)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Rider University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 28.5% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($26,336 vs. $20,487)

Northwestern College vs. Rider University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 88 points higher than at Rider University (1014)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Rider University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Rider University (3.41)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Rider University (84.1%)

Northwestern College vs. Rider University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Rider University (64% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Rider University earn on average $11,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($53,000 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $3,680 lower median federal student loan debt than Rider University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $25,750)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than Rider University graduates. ($228 vs. $266)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rider University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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