Waldorf University vs. NCA

Comparable Facts

Compare Waldorf University in Forest City, IA with Northwest College of Art & Design in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Waldorf University is larger than NCA based on total student enrollment (2,225 students vs. 139 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Waldorf University is located in Forest City, IA (Remote Town setting); Northwest College of Art & Design is in Tacoma, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Waldorf University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Northwest College of Art & Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Waldorf University 22:1; Northwest College of Art & Design 34:1.

Waldorf University vs. NCA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Waldorf University or NCA? 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 Northwest College of Art & Design than Waldorf University ($14,818 vs. $19,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Waldorf University are 35.5% lower than at Northwest College of Art & Design ($9,920 vs. $15,384).
• Waldorf University is 43.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NCA (about $7,878 more per year; $25,978.00 vs. $18,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at Waldorf University than at Northwest College of Art & Design (about $7,878 more per year; $25,978.00 vs. $18,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Waldorf University than at Northwest College of Art & Design (94% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Waldorf University students is 39.7% larger than aid received by Northwest College of Art & Design students ($20,127 vs. $14,406).

Waldorf University vs. NCA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Waldorf University 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 Waldorf University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Waldorf University 920/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Waldorf University 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Waldorf University - Test-free; NCA - Test-free.
• Waldorf University has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than NCA (66%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Waldorf University vs. 40.6% at NCA.

Waldorf University vs. NCA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Waldorf University 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).

• Northwest College of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Waldorf University's (45%).
• Graduates from Waldorf University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than NCA graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Waldorf University graduates have a $12,178 lower median loan debt than NCA graduates ($18,822 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Waldorf University graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCA graduates ($194 vs. $320).
• More Waldorf University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCA students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.