Northwestern College vs. Rockhurst

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

Northwestern College
Rockhurst University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rockhurst (69.6% admitted vs 80.4%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,347 at Northwestern College vs $25,787 at Rockhurst. Rockhurst in-state tuition is about $8,256 more per year.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs Rockhurst 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs Rockhurst $53,500 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College Rockhurst University
Acceptance rate
Rockhurst more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
Rockhurst69.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rockhurst higher
Northwestern College940-1240
Rockhurst1116-1246
Average net price
About even
Northwestern College$26,347
Rockhurst$25,787
In-state tuition
Northwestern College $8,256 less
Northwestern College$36,710
Rockhurst$44,966
Out-of-state tuition
Northwestern College $8,256 less
Northwestern College$36,710
Rockhurst$44,966
Graduation rate
Rockhurst +8 pts
Northwestern College66%
Rockhurst74%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rockhurst +$15,100
Northwestern College$38,400
Rockhurst$53,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • Rockhurst 2,197
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • Rockhurst 1,529
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • Rockhurst 69.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • Rockhurst 19.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • Rockhurst 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • Rockhurst 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • Rockhurst 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • Rockhurst A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • Rockhurst Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • Rockhurst Low
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • Rockhurst 1116-1246
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • Rockhurst 22-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • Rockhurst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • Rockhurst Jun 30, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Rockhurst $44,966
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Rockhurst $44,966
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • Rockhurst $11,920
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • Rockhurst $25,787
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • Rockhurst $34,562
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • Rockhurst 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • Rockhurst 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • Rockhurst $53,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • Rockhurst 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • Rockhurst $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • Rockhurst $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • Rockhurst 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Rockhurst
    • Health Professions (31%)
    • Business (20%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • Rockhurst Kansas City, MO
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • Rockhurst Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • Rockhurst 3,577
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • Rockhurst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • Rockhurst #324

Comparable Facts

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

Rockhurst University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (3,577 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Rockhurst University is in Kansas City, MO (Large City setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rockhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Rockhurst University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 8.6% lower than at Rockhurst University ($10,900 vs. $11,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at Rockhurst than at Northwestern College (about $8,256 more per year; $44,966 vs. $36,710).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Rockhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockhurst University students is 46.8% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($34,562 vs. $23,537).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Rockhurst than at Northwestern College (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at Rockhurst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Rockhurst Jun 30, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rockhurst average a 3.62 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 19.2% at Rockhurst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rockhurst University graduates have a $4,592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, Rockhurst graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($211 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rockhurst students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 74%).

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

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