Northwestern College vs. SVU

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

Northwestern College
Southern Virginia University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 96.4%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: SVU. Average net price is $24,561 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs SVU 25%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs SVU $40,600 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College Southern Virginia University
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
SVU96.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SVU higher
Northwestern College940-1240
SVU943-1253
Average net price
SVU $1,786 less
Northwestern College$26,347
SVU$24,561
In-state tuition
SVU $15,430 less
Northwestern College$36,710
SVU$21,280
Out-of-state tuition
SVU $15,430 less
Northwestern College$36,710
SVU$21,280
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +41 pts
Northwestern College66%
SVU25%
Median earnings (10 years)
SVU +$2,200
Northwestern College$38,400
SVU$40,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • SVU 1,451
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • SVU 1,399
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • SVU 96.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • SVU 21.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • SVU 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • SVU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • SVU 3.19
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • SVU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • SVU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • SVU
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • SVU 943-1253
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • SVU 18-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • SVU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • SVU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • SVU $21,280
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • SVU $21,280
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • SVU $9,894
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • SVU $24,561
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • SVU $10,041
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • SVU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • SVU 25%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • SVU $40,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • SVU 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • SVU $23,654
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • SVU $244
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • SVU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • SVU
    • Business (21%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Work and Family Studies (12%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • SVU Buena Vista, VA
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • SVU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • SVU 936
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • SVU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 9.2% lower than at Northwestern College ($9,894 vs. $10,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 72.5% higher at Northwestern College than at Southern Virginia University (about $15,430 more per year; $36,710 vs. $21,280).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 134.4% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($23,537 vs. $10,041).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Northwestern College than at SVU (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Northwestern College and SVU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at SVU (3.19).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $1,438 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($23,654 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($244 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 53%).

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

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