Northwestern College vs. Saint Francis University

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

Northwestern College
Saint Francis University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Saint Francis University (76.8% admitted vs 80.4%). Typical SAT 1140 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northwestern College. Average net price is $26,347 vs $28,326 at Saint Francis University.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs Saint Francis University 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs Saint Francis University $54,000 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College Saint Francis University
Acceptance rate
Saint Francis University more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
Saint Francis University76.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern College higher
Northwestern College940-1240
Saint Francis University1050-1230
Average net price
Northwestern College $1,979 less
Northwestern College$26,347
Saint Francis University$28,326
In-state tuition
Northwestern College $7,290 less
Northwestern College$36,710
Saint Francis University$44,000
Out-of-state tuition
Northwestern College $7,290 less
Northwestern College$36,710
Saint Francis University$44,000
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +2 pts
Northwestern College66%
Saint Francis University64%
Median earnings (10 years)
Saint Francis University +$15,600
Northwestern College$38,400
Saint Francis University$54,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • Saint Francis University 2,623
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • Saint Francis University 2,015
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • Saint Francis University 76.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • Saint Francis University 19.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • Saint Francis University 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • Saint Francis University 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • Saint Francis University 3.69
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • Saint Francis University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • Saint Francis University Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • Saint Francis University
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • Saint Francis University 1050-1230
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • Saint Francis University 21-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • Saint Francis University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • Saint Francis University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Saint Francis University $44,000
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Saint Francis University $44,000
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • Saint Francis University $13,500
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • Saint Francis University $28,326
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • Saint Francis University $31,610
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • Saint Francis University 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • Saint Francis University 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • Saint Francis University $54,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • Saint Francis University 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • Saint Francis University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • Saint Francis University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • Saint Francis University 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Saint Francis University
    • Business (28%)
    • Health Professions (28%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • Saint Francis University Loretto, PA
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • Saint Francis University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • Saint Francis University 2,963
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • Saint Francis University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • Saint Francis University #503

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Francis University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,963 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Saint Francis University is in Loretto, PA (Distant Town setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Francis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Saint Francis University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 19.3% lower than at Saint Francis University ($10,900 vs. $13,500).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Saint Francis University than at Northwestern College (about $7,290 more per year; $44,000 vs. $36,710).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Saint Francis University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Francis University students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($31,610 vs. $23,537).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Saint Francis University than at Northwestern College (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at Saint Francis University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Saint Francis University average a 3.69 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 19.6% at Saint Francis University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Saint Francis University graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Francis University graduates ($259 vs. $279).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Francis University 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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