Northwestern College vs. AMU

Northwestern College and Ave Maria University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern College
Ave Maria University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AMU (41.4% admitted vs 80.4%). Typical SAT 1130 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,347 at Northwestern College vs $25,294 at AMU. Northwestern College in-state tuition is about $6,512 more per year.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs AMU 41%.
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Key differences

Northwestern College Ave Maria University
Acceptance rate
AMU more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
AMU41.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AMU higher
Northwestern College940-1240
AMU1018-1240
Average net price
About even
Northwestern College$26,347
AMU$25,294
In-state tuition
AMU $6,512 less
Northwestern College$36,710
AMU$30,198
Out-of-state tuition
AMU $6,512 less
Northwestern College$36,710
AMU$30,198
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +25 pts
Northwestern College66%
AMU41%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northwestern College +$38,400
Northwestern College$38,400
AMU-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • AMU 2,689
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • AMU 1,113
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • AMU 41.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • AMU 32.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • AMU 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • AMU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • AMU 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • AMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • AMU Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • AMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • AMU 1018-1240
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • AMU 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • AMU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • AMU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • AMU $30,198
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • AMU $30,198
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • AMU $14,432
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • AMU $25,294
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • AMU $20,936
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • AMU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • AMU 41%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • AMU N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • AMU 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • AMU $22,428
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • AMU $231
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • AMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • AMU
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • AMU Ave Maria, FL
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • AMU Distant Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • AMU 1,423
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • AMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • AMU #625

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern College is larger than AMU based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,423 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Ave Maria University is in Ave Maria, FL (Distant Rural setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ave Maria University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Ave Maria University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 24.5% lower than at Ave Maria University ($10,900 vs. $14,432).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Northwestern College than at Ave Maria University (about $6,512 more per year; $36,710 vs. $30,198).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Ave Maria University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 12.4% larger than aid received by Ave Maria University students ($23,537 vs. $20,936).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at AMU than at Northwestern College (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Northwestern College and AMU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AMU average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 32.8% at AMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ave Maria University graduates have a $2,664 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,428 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, AMU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($231 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AMU students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 53%).

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

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