Northwestern College vs. Bethel University

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

Northwestern College
Bethel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northwestern College. Average net price is $26,347 vs $31,738 at Bethel University.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs Bethel University 73%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs Bethel University $50,100 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College Bethel University
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
Bethel University87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bethel University higher
Northwestern College940-1240
Bethel University1190-1300
Average net price
Northwestern College $5,391 less
Northwestern College$26,347
Bethel University$31,738
In-state tuition
Northwestern College $7,516 less
Northwestern College$36,710
Bethel University$44,226
Out-of-state tuition
Northwestern College $7,516 less
Northwestern College$36,710
Bethel University$44,226
Graduation rate
Bethel University +7 pts
Northwestern College66%
Bethel University73%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bethel University +$11,700
Northwestern College$38,400
Bethel University$50,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • Bethel University 1,754
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • Bethel University 1,540
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • Bethel University 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • Bethel University 26.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • Bethel University 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • Bethel University 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • Bethel University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • Bethel University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • Bethel University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • Bethel University
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • Bethel University 1190-1300
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • Bethel University 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • Bethel University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • Bethel University May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • Bethel University $12,170
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • Bethel University $31,738
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • Bethel University $26,886
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • Bethel University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • Bethel University 73%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • Bethel University $50,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • Bethel University 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • Bethel University $24,400
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • Bethel University $252
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • Bethel University 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Bethel University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • Bethel University Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • Bethel University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • Bethel University 3,603
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • Bethel University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • Bethel University #387

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Bethel University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bethel University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (3,603 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Bethel University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Bethel University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 10.4% lower than at Bethel University ($10,900 vs. $12,170).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at Bethel University than at Northwestern College (about $7,516 more per year; $44,226 vs. $36,710).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Bethel University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 14.2% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($26,886 vs. $23,537).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Bethel University than at Northwestern College (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at Bethel University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bethel University May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bethel University 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. 26.9% at Bethel University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethel University graduates have a $692 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($24,400 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, Bethel University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($252 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel University 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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