Northwestern College vs. Stephens College

Should I go to Northwestern College or Stephens College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern College or Stephens College 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. Stephens College comparison
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Northwestern College Stephens College
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Overview

Northwestern College Stephens College
Location Orange City, IA Columbia, MO
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,651 590
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #638
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwciowa.edu stephens.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College Stephens College
Tuition (In State) $34,000 $24,586
Tuition (Out of State) $34,000 $24,586
Room & Board $10,200 $11,488
Avg Net Price $25,198 $26,372
Avg Grant Aid $22,228 $15,518
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Northwestern College Stephens College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 650
Admitted 965 417
Acceptance Rate 87.3% 64.2%
Enrolled % 29.8% 18%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.27
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 18/25
SAT Range 940/1240 1050/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 1, 2023

Academics

Northwestern College Stephens College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (36%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (6%)
  • English and Literature (4%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College Stephens College
Graduation Rate 66% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,092 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $259 $279

Diversity

Northwestern College Stephens College
% Men 39% 7%
% Women 61% 93%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 69%
% Black 2% 15%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Northwestern College Stephens College
% In-State 55% 54%
% Out-of-State 42% 41%

Campus

Northwestern College Stephens College
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

  • Northwestern College is larger than than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,651 students vs. 590 students)

Northwestern College vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Stephens College?

  • Northwestern College is 38.3% more expensive to attend than Stephens College for in-state tuition ($34,000.00 vs. $24,586.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.3% higher at Northwestern College than Stephens College ($34,000.00 vs. $24,586.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern College than Stephens College ($25,198 vs. $26,372)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 12.6% lower than costs at Stephens College ($10,200 vs. $11,488)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Stephens College (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 43.2% larger than aid received Stephens College ($22,228 vs. $15,518)

Northwestern College vs. Stephens College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1141) is 105 points higher than at Stephens College (1036)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Stephens College (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Stephens College (3.27)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (87.3%) than Stephens College (64.2%)

Northwestern College vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern College or Stephens College? 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 Stephens College and Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Stephens College (66% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Northwestern College earn on average $1,000 more per year than Stephens College graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $37,400)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $1,908 lower median federal student loan debt than Stephens College graduates. ($25,092 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/