Northwestern College vs. KU

Northwestern College and University of Kansas side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern College
University of Kansas

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: KU. Average net price is $19,205 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs KU 61%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs KU $54,600 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College University of Kansas
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
KU93.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
KU higher
Northwestern College940-1240
KU1070-1300
Average net price
KU $7,142 less
Northwestern College$26,347
KU$19,205
In-state tuition
KU $24,608 less
Northwestern College$36,710
KU$12,102
Out-of-state tuition
KU $6,278 less
Northwestern College$36,710
KU$30,432
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +5 pts
Northwestern College66%
KU61%
Median earnings (10 years)
KU +$16,200
Northwestern College$38,400
KU$54,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • KU 22,363
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • KU 20,905
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • KU 93.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • KU 25.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • KU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • KU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • KU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • KU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • KU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • KU
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • KU 1070-1300
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • KU 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • KU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • KU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • KU $12,102
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • KU $30,432
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • KU $11,358
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • KU $19,205
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • KU $11,541
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • KU 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • KU 61%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • KU $54,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • KU 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • KU $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • KU $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • KU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • KU
    • Business (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • KU Lawrence, KS
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • KU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • KU 29,792
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • KU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • KU #317

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Kansas is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 4% lower than at University of Kansas ($10,900 vs. $11,358).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at Northwestern College than at University of Kansas (about $6,278 more per year; $36,710 vs. $30,432).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at University of Kansas (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 103.9% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($23,537 vs. $11,541).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at KU than at Northwestern College (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at KU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at KU average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 25.5% at KU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $4,592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($211 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 66%).

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

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