Northwestern College vs. St. Cloud State University

Northwestern College and Saint Cloud State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern College
Saint Cloud State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 94.8%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1140.
  • Cheaper after aid: St. Cloud State University. Average net price is $14,735 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs St. Cloud State University 48%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs St. Cloud State University $46,700 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College Saint Cloud State University
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
St. Cloud State University94.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St. Cloud State University higher
Northwestern College940-1240
St. Cloud State University1025-1260
Average net price
St. Cloud State University $11,612 less
Northwestern College$26,347
St. Cloud State University$14,735
In-state tuition
St. Cloud State University $26,465 less
Northwestern College$36,710
St. Cloud State University$10,245
Out-of-state tuition
St. Cloud State University $26,465 less
Northwestern College$36,710
St. Cloud State University$10,245
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +18 pts
Northwestern College66%
St. Cloud State University48%
Median earnings (10 years)
St. Cloud State University +$8,300
Northwestern College$38,400
St. Cloud State University$46,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • St. Cloud State University 5,976
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • St. Cloud State University 5,665
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • St. Cloud State University 94.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • St. Cloud State University 16.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • St. Cloud State University 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • St. Cloud State University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • St. Cloud State University 3.4
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • St. Cloud State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • St. Cloud State University Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • St. Cloud State University
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • St. Cloud State University 1025-1260
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • St. Cloud State University 17-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • St. Cloud State University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • St. Cloud State University $10,596
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • St. Cloud State University $14,735
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • St. Cloud State University $7,036
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • St. Cloud State University 84%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • St. Cloud State University 48%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • St. Cloud State University $46,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • St. Cloud State University 67%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • St. Cloud State University $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • St. Cloud State University $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • St. Cloud State University 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • St. Cloud State University
    • Business (27%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • St. Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • St. Cloud State University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • St. Cloud State University 10,732
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • St. Cloud State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • St. Cloud State University #704

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Cloud State University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (10,732 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Saint Cloud State University is in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Cloud State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Saint Cloud State University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 2.8% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,596 vs. $10,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 258.3% higher at Northwestern College than at Saint Cloud State University (about $26,465 more per year; $36,710 vs. $10,245).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Saint Cloud State University (100% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 234.5% larger than aid received by Saint Cloud State University students ($23,537 vs. $7,036).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Northwestern College than at St. Cloud State University (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at St. Cloud State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at St. Cloud State University (3.4).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 16.6% at St. Cloud State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Cloud State University graduates have a $2,592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, St. Cloud State University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($232 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 67%).

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

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