Principia College vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Principia College vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College or Northwestern College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Principia College than Northwestern College ($18,248 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 21.6% lower than at Principia College ($10,900 vs. $13,910).
• Northwestern College is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Principia College (about $2,030 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Northwestern College than at Principia College (about $2,030 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Principia College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($30,402 vs. $23,537).

Principia College vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or Northwestern College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northwestern College and Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 60 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and Northwestern College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.