Suffolk University vs. Northwestern College

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

Suffolk University Northwestern College
Location Boston, MA Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,734 3,253
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #450 #554
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website suffolk.edu nwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Suffolk University Northwestern College
Tuition (In State) $42,790 $34,490
Tuition (Out of State) $42,790 $34,490
Room & Board $18,482 $10,644
Avg Net Price $32,270 $25,704
Avg Grant Aid $27,856 $20,487
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

Suffolk University Northwestern College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,699 1,349
Admitted 8,418 1,248
Acceptance Rate 86.8% 92.5%
Enrolled % 15% 31.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.58
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/30 21/28
SAT Range 1080/1300 1015/1311
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 Feb 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Suffolk University Northwestern College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

Suffolk University Northwestern College
Graduation Rate 54% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,100 $41,100
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,070
Median Loan Payment $279 $228

Diversity

Suffolk University Northwestern College
% Men 37% 39%
% Women 63% 61%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 40% 84%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 23% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

Suffolk University Northwestern College
% In-State 56% 77%
% Out-of-State 36% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Suffolk University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (6,734 students vs. 3,253 students)

Suffolk University vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

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

  • Suffolk University is 24.1% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($42,790.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.1% higher at Suffolk University than Northwestern College ($42,790.00 vs. $34,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern College than Suffolk University ($25,704 vs. $32,270)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 73.6% lower than costs at Suffolk University ($10,644 vs. $18,482)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Suffolk University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 36% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($27,856 vs. $20,487)

Suffolk University vs. Northwestern College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 78 points higher than at Suffolk University (1024)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Suffolk University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Suffolk University (3.33)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Suffolk University (86.8%)

Suffolk University vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Suffolk University or Northwestern College? 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 Northwestern College and Suffolk University.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Suffolk University (64% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn on average $18,000 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($59,100 vs. $41,100)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $4,930 lower median federal student loan debt than Suffolk University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than Suffolk University graduates. ($228 vs. $279)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Suffolk University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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