ISU vs. Northwestern College

Iowa State University and Northwestern College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Iowa State University
Northwestern College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: ISU. Average net price is $17,779 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: ISU 68% vs Northwestern College 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ISU $53,700 vs Northwestern College $38,400 (median).
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Key differences

Iowa State University Northwestern College
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
ISU88.7%
Northwestern College80.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ISU higher
ISU1120-1360
Northwestern College940-1240
Average net price
ISU $8,568 less
ISU$17,779
Northwestern College$26,347
In-state tuition
ISU $25,923 less
ISU$10,787
Northwestern College$36,710
Out-of-state tuition
ISU $7,829 less
ISU$28,881
Northwestern College$36,710
Graduation rate
ISU +2 pts
ISU68%
Northwestern College66%
Median earnings (10 years)
ISU +$15,300
ISU$53,700
Northwestern College$38,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ISU 23,095
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • Admitted
  • ISU 20,475
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • Acceptance rate
  • ISU 88.7%
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ISU 28.8%
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1240
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • Northwestern College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • ISU 3.7
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • ISU A-
  • Northwestern College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • ISU Challenging
  • Northwestern College Average
  • Applicant competition
  • ISU
  • Northwestern College
  • SAT range
  • ISU 1120-1360
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • ACT range
  • ISU 21-28
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • ISU
  • Northwestern College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ISU $10,787
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ISU $28,881
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Room & board
  • ISU $10,808
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • Average net price
  • ISU $17,779
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • Average grant aid
  • ISU $10,791
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ISU 77%
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • ISU 68%
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ISU $53,700
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • ISU 74%
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ISU $23,868
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • Median loan payment
  • ISU $246
  • Northwestern College $259
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ISU 18:1
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 30,380
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ISU #343
  • Northwestern College #633

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Iowa State University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 0.8% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,808 vs. $10,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Northwestern College than at Iowa State University (about $7,829 more per year; $36,710 vs. $28,881).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 118.1% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($23,537 vs. $10,791).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at ISU than at Northwestern College (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at ISU, test-free at Northwestern College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ISU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,224 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($246 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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