Northwestern College vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern College is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 568 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 18.4% lower than at Stephens College ($10,900 vs. $13,366).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at Northwestern College than at Stephens College (about $8,410 more per year; $36,710 vs. $28,300).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Stephens College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($23,537 vs. $23,341).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Northwestern College than at Stephens College (23 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Northwestern College and Stephens College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Stephens College (3.27).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 63%).

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