Wheaton College vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Wheaton College vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Northwestern College than Wheaton College ($26,347 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 16.2% lower than at Wheaton College ($10,900 vs. $13,010).
• Wheaton College is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $8,836 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Wheaton College than at Northwestern College (about $8,836 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 18.9% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($27,987 vs. $23,537).

Wheaton College vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 280 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Wheaton College vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $2,592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($232 vs. $259).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 85%)

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.