Iowa vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Iowa vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 University of Iowa than Northwestern College ($21,765 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 15.6% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,900 vs. $12,920).
• Northwestern College is 225.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $25,427 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Northwestern College than at University of Iowa (about $3,339 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 138.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($23,537 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 140 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Iowa vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,476 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($223 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 70%)

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.