University of St Francis vs. Northwood University

Deciding between University of St Francis 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.

University of St Francis
Northwood University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of St Francis Joliet, IL
  • Northwood University Midland, MI
  • Setting
  • University of St Francis Midsize City
  • Northwood University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of St Francis 3,074
  • Northwood University 2,409
  • Type
  • University of St Francis Private 4 Year
  • Northwood University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of St Francis #355
  • Northwood University #577
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of St Francis Roman Catholic
  • Northwood University -
  • Status
  • University of St Francis Non-profit
  • Northwood University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of St Francis
  • Northwood University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • Northwood University $34,400
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • Northwood University $34,400
  • Room & Board
  • University of St Francis $11,980
  • Northwood University $13,100
  • Average Net Price
  • University of St Francis $14,045
  • Northwood University $25,549
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of St Francis $31,998
  • Northwood University $23,349
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of St Francis 100%
  • Northwood University 98%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of St Francis 2,250
  • Northwood University 1,851
  • Admitted
  • University of St Francis 1,469
  • Northwood University 1,194
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of St Francis 65.3%
  • Northwood University 64.5%
  • Enrolled
  • University of St Francis 14.2%
  • Northwood University 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of St Francis 1130
  • Northwood University 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of St Francis 26
  • Northwood University 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of St Francis 3.47
  • Northwood University 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of St Francis B+
  • Northwood University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of St Francis Challenging
  • Northwood University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of St Francis Low
  • Northwood University Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of St Francis 20/32
  • Northwood University 17/23
  • SAT Range
  • University of St Francis 1030/1220
  • Northwood University 950/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of St Francis Test optional
  • Northwood University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027
  • Northwood University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of St Francis 15:1
  • Northwood University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of St Francis
    • Health Professions (41%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Northwood University
    • Business (93%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)
    • Health Professions (1%)
    • Communication (1%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of St Francis 63%
  • Northwood University 53%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of St Francis $50,600
  • Northwood University $50,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of St Francis 62%
  • Northwood University 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of St Francis $25,000
  • Northwood University $21,775
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of St Francis $258
  • Northwood University $225

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of St Francis 27%
  • Northwood University 62%
  • % Women
  • University of St Francis 73%
  • Northwood University 38%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of St Francis Medium
  • Northwood University Low
  • HBCU
  • University of St Francis No
  • Northwood University No
  • % White
  • University of St Francis 67%
  • Northwood University 67%
  • % Asian
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • Northwood University 1%
  • % Black
  • University of St Francis 8%
  • Northwood University 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of St Francis 16%
  • Northwood University 5%
  • % Native American
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • Northwood University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • Northwood University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of St Francis 3%
  • Northwood University 1%
  • % International
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • Northwood University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of St Francis 1%
  • Northwood University 13%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of St Francis 91%
  • Northwood University 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of St Francis 9%
  • Northwood University 17%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of St Francis in Joliet, IL with Northwood University in Midland, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of St Francis is larger than Northwood University based on total student enrollment (3,074 students vs. 2,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of St Francis is located in Joliet, IL (Midsize City setting); Northwood University is in Midland, MI (Distant Town setting).
  • University of St Francis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwood University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of St Francis 15:1; Northwood University 14:1.

University of St Francis vs. Northwood University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis than Northwood University ($14,045 vs. $25,549).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Francis are 8.5% lower than at Northwood University ($11,980 vs. $13,100).
  • University of St Francis is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwood University (about $3,710 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $34,400.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at University of St Francis than at Northwood University (about $3,710 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $34,400.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Francis than at Northwood University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 37% larger than aid received by Northwood University students ($31,998 vs. $23,349).

University of St Francis vs. Northwood University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Francis (1130) is 70 points higher than at Northwood University (1060).
  • Incoming University of St Francis students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Northwood University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 1030/1220; Northwood University 950/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 20/32; Northwood University 17/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of St Francis - Test optional; Northwood University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of St Francis students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Northwood University (3.41).
  • University of St Francis has a higher acceptance rate (65.3%) than Northwood University (64.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at University of St Francis vs. 28.6% at Northwood University.

University of St Francis vs. Northwood University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of St Francis 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).

  • University of St Francis's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Northwood University's (53%).
  • Graduates from University of St Francis earn a median of about $100 more per year than Northwood University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwood University graduates have a $3,225 lower median loan debt than University of St Francis graduates ($21,775 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northwood University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Francis graduates ($225 vs. $258).
  • More University of St Francis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwood University students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.