NNU vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than NNU based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Nazarene University is located in Nampa, ID (Small City setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Northwest Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Nazarene University 14:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

NNU vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NNU 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 NNU ($26,347 vs. $30,178).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 9.7% lower than at Northwest Nazarene University ($10,900 vs. $12,070).
• Northwest Nazarene University is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $4,084 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at NNU than at Northwestern College (about $4,084 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Northwest Nazarene University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students is 6.8% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($25,146 vs. $23,537).

NNU vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NNU 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 NNU.

• Northwest Nazarene University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwest Nazarene University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming NNU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 1005/1240; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 22/27; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NNU - Open admission; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NNU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than NNU (64.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at NNU vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

NNU vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NNU 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).

• Northwestern College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Northwest Nazarene University's (52%).
• Graduates from Northwest Nazarene University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $908 lower median loan debt than NNU graduates ($25,092 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NNU graduates ($259 vs. $268).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NNU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 66%)

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.