Northwestern College vs. St. Ambrose University

Should I go to Northwestern College or Saint Ambrose University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or St. Ambrose University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northwestern College vs. Saint Ambrose University comparison
Northwestern College Saint Ambrose University College 3 College 4
Northwestern College Saint Ambrose University
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Overview

Northwestern College St. Ambrose University
Location Orange City, IA Davenport, IA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,651 2,747
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #638 #402
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwciowa.edu sau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College St. Ambrose University
Tuition (In State) $34,000 $34,290
Tuition (Out of State) $34,000 $34,290
Room & Board $10,200 $11,988
Avg Net Price $25,198 $23,359
Avg Grant Aid $22,228 $25,476
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Northwestern College St. Ambrose University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 3,589
Admitted 965 2,653
Acceptance Rate 87.3% 73.9%
Enrolled % 29.8% 17.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 20/27
SAT Range 940/1240 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Northwestern College St. Ambrose University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College St. Ambrose University
Graduation Rate 66% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,092 $25,764
Median Loan Payment $259 $266

Diversity

Northwestern College St. Ambrose University
% Men 39% 42%
% Women 61% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 80%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

Northwestern College St. Ambrose University
% In-State 55% 33%
% Out-of-State 42% 64%

Campus

Northwestern College St. Ambrose University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Saint Ambrose University is larger than than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,747 students vs. 1,651 students)

Northwestern College vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or St. Ambrose University ?

  • Saint Ambrose University is 0.9% more expensive to attend than Northwestern College for in-state tuition ($34,290.00 vs. $34,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.9% higher at St. Ambrose University than Northwestern College ($34,290.00 vs. $34,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Ambrose University than Northwestern College ($23,359 vs. $25,198)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 17.5% lower than costs at Saint Ambrose University ($10,200 vs. $11,988)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as Saint Ambrose University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 14.6% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($25,476 vs. $22,228)

Northwestern College vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern College or St. Ambrose University ? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between St. Ambrose University or Northwestern College .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1141) is 91 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at St. Ambrose University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (87.3%) than St. Ambrose University (73.9%)

Northwestern College vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or St. Ambrose University ? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between St. Ambrose University and Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Saint Ambrose University (66% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Saint Ambrose University earn on average $9,900 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $38,400)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $672 lower median federal student loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates. ($25,092 vs. $25,764)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than St. Ambrose University graduates. ($259 vs. $266)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Ambrose University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/