Willamette University vs. Northwest University

Should I go to Willamette University or Northwest University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Willamette University or Northwest University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Willamette University vs. Northwest University comparison
Willamette University Northwest University College 3 College 4
Willamette University Northwest University
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Overview

Willamette University Northwest University
Location Salem, OR Kirkland, WA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,112 999
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #253
Religious Affiliation - Assemblies of God Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website willamette.edu northwestu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Willamette University Northwest University
Tuition (In State) $48,000 $35,535
Tuition (Out of State) $48,000 $35,535
Room & Board $15,490 $10,648
Avg Net Price $27,716 $25,917
Avg Grant Aid $34,396 $21,864
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Willamette University Northwest University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,107 586
Admitted 3,249 516
Acceptance Rate 79.1% 88.1%
Enrolled % 15.5% 29.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.41
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/32 24/29
SAT Range 1220/1430 1040/1325
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Willamette University Northwest University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

Willamette University Northwest University
Graduation Rate 77% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $21,532
Median Loan Payment $268 $222

Diversity

Willamette University Northwest University
% Men 12% 12%
% Women 14% 21%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 69%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 10% 5%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Willamette University Northwest University
% In-State 25% 79%
% Out-of-State 73% 18%

Campus

Willamette University Northwest University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Willamette University is larger than than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (2,112 students vs. 999 students)

Willamette University vs. Northwest University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Willamette University or Northwest University?

  • Willamette University is 35.1% more expensive to attend than Northwest University for in-state tuition ($48,000.00 vs. $35,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.1% higher at Willamette University than Northwest University ($48,000.00 vs. $35,535.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest University than Willamette University ($25,917 vs. $27,716)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 45.5% lower than costs at Willamette University ($10,648 vs. $15,490)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Willamette University than Northwest University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Willamette University students is 57.3% larger than aid received Northwest University ($34,396 vs. $21,864)

Willamette University vs. Northwest University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Willamette University or Northwest University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northwest University or Willamette University .

  • The average SAT score at Willamette University (1228) is 232 points higher than at Northwest University (996)
  • Incoming Willamette University students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Northwest University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Willamette University students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (88.1%) than Willamette University (79.1%)

Willamette University vs. Northwest University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Willamette University or Northwest University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northwest University and Willamette University.

  • The graduation rate at Willamette University is higher than Northwest University (77% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Willamette University earn on average $12,900 more per year than Northwest University graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $41,400)
  • Northwest University students graduate with a $4,468 lower median federal student loan debt than Willamette University graduates. ($21,532 vs. $26,000)
  • Northwest University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than Willamette University graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
  • More Willamette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/