Life University vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Life University in Marietta, GA with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Life University is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (2,714 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Life University is located in Marietta, GA (Small City setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Life University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Life University 15:1; Northland College 5:1.

Life University vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Life University or Northland 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 Northland College than Life University ($23,253 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 21.9% lower than at Life University ($11,600 vs. $14,850).
• Northland College is 195.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Life University (about $29,367 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 195.3% higher at Northland College than at Life University (about $29,367 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at Life University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 197.3% larger than aid received by Life University students ($33,572 vs. $11,292).

Life University vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Life University or Northland 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 Northland College and Life University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northland College (1050) is 20 points higher than at Life University (1030).
• Incoming Northland College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Life University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 920/1130; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 17/20; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life University - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northland College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Life University (3.11).
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.1% at Life University vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Life University vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Life University and Northland 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).

• Life University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Life University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $18,609 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($8,334 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $192 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($86 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 33%)

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.