University of Western States vs. NCA

Deciding between University of Western States and Northwest College of Art & Design? 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.

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Western States Portland, OR
  • NCA Tacoma, WA
  • Setting
  • University of Western States Large City
  • NCA Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Western States 959
  • NCA 139
  • Type
  • University of Western States Private 4 Year
  • NCA Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Western States
  • NCA
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA -
  • Status
  • University of Western States Non-profit
  • NCA For-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Western States
  • NCA

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Western States $8,710
  • NCA $18,100
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Western States $8,710
  • NCA $18,100
  • Room & Board
  • University of Western States $0
  • NCA $15,384
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA $14,818
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Western States $0
  • NCA $14,406
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Western States 0%
  • NCA 87%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA 97
  • Admitted
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA 64
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Western States Open
  • NCA 66%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Western States Open
  • NCA 40.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Western States
  • NCA
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Western States
  • NCA
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA -
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Western States Unavailable
  • NCA Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Western States
  • NCA Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Western States
  • NCA
  • SAT Range
  • University of Western States
  • NCA
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Western States Open admission
  • NCA Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Western States
  • NCA

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Western States 7:1
  • NCA 34:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Western States
    • Health Professions (90%)
    • Biology (10%)
  • NCA
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA 67%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Western States $52,200
  • NCA $29,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Western States 68%
  • NCA 47%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Western States $8,500
  • NCA $31,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Western States $87
  • NCA $320

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Western States 31%
  • NCA 32%
  • % Women
  • University of Western States 69%
  • NCA 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Western States Medium
  • NCA Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Western States No
  • NCA No
  • % White
  • University of Western States 64%
  • NCA 80%
  • % Asian
  • University of Western States 3%
  • NCA 3%
  • % Black
  • University of Western States 1%
  • NCA 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Western States 9%
  • NCA 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Western States 1%
  • NCA 6%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Western States 0%
  • NCA 3%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Western States 20%
  • NCA 0%
  • % International
  • University of Western States 0%
  • NCA 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Western States 1%
  • NCA 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Western States -
  • NCA 4%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Western States No
  • NCA No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Western States Not applicable
  • NCA No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Western States No
  • NCA No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Western States Yes
  • NCA No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Western States No
  • NCA No

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Western States in Portland, OR with Northwest College of Art & Design in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Western States is larger than NCA based on total student enrollment (959 students vs. 139 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Western States is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Northwest College of Art & Design is in Tacoma, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • University of Western States is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest College of Art & Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Western States 7:1; Northwest College of Art & Design 34:1.

University of Western States vs. NCA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Western States or NCA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • Northwest College of Art & Design is 107.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Western States (about $9,390 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $8,710.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 107.8% higher at NCA than at University of Western States (about $9,390 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $8,710.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest College of Art & Design than at University of Western States (87% vs. 0%).

University of Western States vs. NCA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Western States or NCA? 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 NCA and University of Western States.

  • University of Western States reports an open admissions policy.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Western States - Open admission; NCA - Test-free.

University of Western States vs. NCA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Western States and NCA? 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).

  • Graduates from University of Western States earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than NCA graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Western States graduates have a $22,500 lower median loan debt than NCA graduates ($8,500 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Western States graduates have an estimated $233 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCA graduates ($87 vs. $320).
  • More University of Western States graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCA students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 47%)

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.