Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Orange City, Iowa |
| Online | nwciowa.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | Reformed Church in America |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Northwestern College, located in Orange City, Iowa, is a private Christian liberal arts college established in 1882. Situated in a small-town setting approximately 55 miles northeast of Sioux City, the college spans a 100-acre campus characterized by historical red-brick buildings reflective of late 19th-century architecture. Northwestern College offers a variety of undergraduate programs, with notable strength in education, nursing, and religious studies. While the college maintains a moderately selective admissions process, its commitment to academic excellence is evident in the personalized education it provides through a low student-to-faculty ratio. Residential life is a significant component of the Northwestern experience, with a majority of students living in on-campus housing facilities that aim to foster a closely-knit living and learning environment. Not widely known for athletics, the college nonetheless competes in the NAIA, with the athletic teams known as the Red Raiders.
In the most recent statistical year 1,105 prospective students applied, and 965 were granted admission. Of those admitted 288 enrolled in the school. 1,115 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 536 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $34,000 plus fees of $250. Northwestern College is ranked 638 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Northwestern College is rated within the lower 47% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Northwestern College within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#638 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#431 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#12 in Best Colleges in Iowa
#9 in Best Private Colleges in Iowa
#42 in Best Value Colleges in Iowa
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 940/1240 |
| ACT | 20/27 |
| GPA | 3.57 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,150 |
| Other Fees | $250 |
| Room and Board | $10,200 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,200 |
| Total One Year Cost | $48,800 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 17% |
| Education | 15% |
| Health Professions | 10% |
| Biology | 9% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Northwestern College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Northwestern College.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=154101 IPEDS survey data for Northwestern College.
Current students may use the Northwestern College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024