Northwestern College vs. BLC

Northwestern College and Bethany Lutheran College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern College
Bethany Lutheran College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BLC (39% admitted vs 80.4%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: BLC. Average net price is $21,127 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs BLC 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs BLC $37,300 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College Bethany Lutheran College
Acceptance rate
BLC more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
BLC39%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern College higher
Northwestern College940-1240
BLC1040-1180
Average net price
BLC $5,220 less
Northwestern College$26,347
BLC$21,127
In-state tuition
BLC $5,350 less
Northwestern College$36,710
BLC$31,360
Out-of-state tuition
BLC $5,350 less
Northwestern College$36,710
BLC$31,360
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +13 pts
Northwestern College66%
BLC53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northwestern College +$1,100
Northwestern College$38,400
BLC$37,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • BLC 1,319
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • BLC 514
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • BLC 39%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • BLC 34%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • BLC 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • BLC 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • BLC 3.51
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • BLC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • BLC Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • BLC High
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • BLC 1040-1180
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • BLC 21-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • BLC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • BLC Jul 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • BLC $31,360
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • BLC $31,360
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • BLC $8,620
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • BLC $21,127
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • BLC $19,865
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • BLC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • BLC 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • BLC $37,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • BLC 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • BLC $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • BLC $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • BLC 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • BLC
    • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Psychology (10%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • BLC Mankato, MN
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • BLC Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • BLC 899
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • BLC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • BLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern College is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 899 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Bethany Lutheran College is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Bethany Lutheran College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 20.9% lower than at Northwestern College ($8,620 vs. $10,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at Northwestern College than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $5,350 more per year; $36,710 vs. $31,360).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Bethany Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($23,537 vs. $19,865).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 23) as students at BLC (23).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at BLC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at BLC (3.51).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 34% at BLC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $1,842 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($240 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BLC students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 80%).

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

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