St. Ambrose University vs. Northwood University

Deciding between Saint Ambrose University and Northwood University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Saint Ambrose University
Northwood University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • St. Ambrose University Davenport, IA
  • Northwood University Midland, MI
  • Setting
  • St. Ambrose University Small City
  • Northwood University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • St. Ambrose University 2,498
  • Northwood University 2,409
  • Type
  • St. Ambrose University Private 4 Year
  • Northwood University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • St. Ambrose University #441
  • Northwood University #577
  • Religious Affiliation
  • St. Ambrose University Roman Catholic
  • Northwood University -
  • Status
  • St. Ambrose University Non-profit
  • Northwood University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Northwood University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Northwood University $34,400
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Northwood University $34,400
  • Room & Board
  • St. Ambrose University $13,378
  • Northwood University $13,100
  • Average Net Price
  • St. Ambrose University $25,345
  • Northwood University $25,549
  • Average Grant Aid
  • St. Ambrose University $25,877
  • Northwood University $23,349
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • St. Ambrose University 100%
  • Northwood University 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • St. Ambrose University 2,964
  • Northwood University 1,851
  • Admitted
  • St. Ambrose University 2,292
  • Northwood University 1,194
  • Acceptance Rate
  • St. Ambrose University 77.3%
  • Northwood University 64.5%
  • Enrolled
  • St. Ambrose University 16.7%
  • Northwood University 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St. Ambrose University 1050
  • Northwood University 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • St. Ambrose University 22
  • Northwood University 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • St. Ambrose University 3.39
  • Northwood University 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • St. Ambrose University B+
  • Northwood University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • St. Ambrose University Easy
  • Northwood University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Northwood University Low
  • ACT Range
  • St. Ambrose University 20/25
  • Northwood University 17/23
  • SAT Range
  • St. Ambrose University 930/1170
  • Northwood University 950/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • St. Ambrose University Test optional
  • Northwood University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Northwood University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • St. Ambrose University 11:1
  • Northwood University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • St. Ambrose University
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Northwood University
    • Business (93%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)
    • Health Professions (1%)
    • Communication (1%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • St. Ambrose University 62%
  • Northwood University 53%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • St. Ambrose University $48,300
  • Northwood University $50,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • St. Ambrose University 71%
  • Northwood University 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • St. Ambrose University $25,764
  • Northwood University $21,775
  • Median Loan Payment
  • St. Ambrose University $266
  • Northwood University $225
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • St. Ambrose University 43%
  • Northwood University 62%
  • % Women
  • St. Ambrose University 57%
  • Northwood University 38%
  • Racial Diversity
  • St. Ambrose University Very Low
  • Northwood University Low
  • HBCU
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • Northwood University No
  • % White
  • St. Ambrose University 80%
  • Northwood University 67%
  • % Asian
  • St. Ambrose University 1%
  • Northwood University 1%
  • % Black
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • Northwood University 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • St. Ambrose University 6%
  • Northwood University 5%
  • % Native American
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • Northwood University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • Northwood University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • St. Ambrose University 2%
  • Northwood University 1%
  • % International
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • Northwood University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • St. Ambrose University 4%
  • Northwood University 13%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • St. Ambrose University 38%
  • Northwood University 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • St. Ambrose University 60%
  • Northwood University 17%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Northwood University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • Northwood University No
  • Meal Plan
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Northwood University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Northwood University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • Northwood University No
  • Learn More
  • St. Ambrose University Details
  • Northwood University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA with Northwood University in Midland, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Ambrose University is larger than Northwood University based on total student enrollment (2,498 students vs. 2,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Saint Ambrose University is located in Davenport, IA (Small City setting); Northwood University is in Midland, MI (Distant Town setting).
  • Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwood University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Ambrose University 11:1; Northwood University 14:1.

St. Ambrose University vs. Northwood University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Ambrose University or Northwood University? 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 Saint Ambrose University than Northwood University ($25,345 vs. $25,549).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwood University are 2.1% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($13,100 vs. $13,378).
  • Saint Ambrose University is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwood University (about $2,258 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $34,400.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at St. Ambrose University than at Northwood University (about $2,258 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $34,400.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Ambrose University than at Northwood University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 10.8% larger than aid received by Northwood University students ($25,877 vs. $23,349).

St. Ambrose University vs. Northwood University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Ambrose University or Northwood University? 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 Northwood University and St. Ambrose University .

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwood University (1060) is 10 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
  • Incoming St. Ambrose University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Northwood University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Ambrose University 930/1170; Northwood University 950/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Ambrose University 20/25; Northwood University 17/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Ambrose University - Test optional; Northwood University - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman Northwood University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
  • St. Ambrose University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Northwood University (64.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at St. Ambrose University vs. 28.6% at Northwood University.

St. Ambrose University vs. Northwood University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Ambrose University and Northwood University? 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).

  • Saint Ambrose University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Northwood University's (53%).
  • Graduates from Northwood University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than St. Ambrose University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwood University graduates have a $3,989 lower median loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates ($21,775 vs. $25,764).
  • Among borrowers, Northwood University graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Ambrose University graduates ($225 vs. $266).
  • More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwood University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 54%)

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.