UNI vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Northern 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 Northern Iowa 18:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

UNI vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI 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 Northern Iowa than Northwestern College ($16,437 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 8.4% lower than at Northwestern College ($9,986 vs. $10,900).
• Northwestern College is 269.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $26,774 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.1% higher at Northwestern College than at University of Northern Iowa (about $14,998 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 301.3% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($23,537 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 60 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

UNI vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $4,467 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($213 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 72%)

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.