Northwestern College vs. University of North Dakota

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

Northwestern College
University of North Dakota

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of North Dakota (76.9% admitted vs 80.4%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: University of North Dakota. Average net price is $18,076 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs University of North Dakota 54%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs University of North Dakota $54,700 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College University of North Dakota
Acceptance rate
University of North Dakota more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
University of North Dakota76.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
University of North Dakota higher
Northwestern College940-1240
University of North Dakota1110-1290
Average net price
University of North Dakota $8,271 less
Northwestern College$26,347
University of North Dakota$18,076
In-state tuition
University of North Dakota $25,759 less
Northwestern College$36,710
University of North Dakota$10,951
Out-of-state tuition
University of North Dakota $21,140 less
Northwestern College$36,710
University of North Dakota$15,570
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +12 pts
Northwestern College66%
University of North Dakota54%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of North Dakota +$16,300
Northwestern College$38,400
University of North Dakota$54,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • University of North Dakota 8,261
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • University of North Dakota 6,353
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • University of North Dakota 76.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • University of North Dakota 34.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • University of North Dakota 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • University of North Dakota 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • University of North Dakota 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • University of North Dakota A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • University of North Dakota Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • University of North Dakota
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • University of North Dakota 1110-1290
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • University of North Dakota 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • University of North Dakota Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • University of North Dakota Aug 17, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • University of North Dakota $10,951
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • University of North Dakota $15,570
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • University of North Dakota $11,390
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • University of North Dakota $18,076
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • University of North Dakota $6,663
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • University of North Dakota 86%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • University of North Dakota 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • University of North Dakota $54,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • University of North Dakota 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • University of North Dakota $24,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • University of North Dakota $253
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • University of North Dakota 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • University of North Dakota
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Transportation and Materials Moving (14%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • University of North Dakota Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • University of North Dakota 15,019
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • University of North Dakota Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • University of North Dakota #383

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of North Dakota is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (15,019 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 North Dakota is in Grand Forks, ND (Small City setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; University of North Dakota 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 4.3% lower than at University of North Dakota ($10,900 vs. $11,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 135.8% higher at Northwestern College than at University of North Dakota (about $21,140 more per year; $36,710 vs. $15,570).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at University of North Dakota (100% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 253.2% larger than aid received by University of North Dakota students ($23,537 vs. $6,663).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 23) as students at University of North Dakota (23).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Northwestern College and University of North Dakota.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of North Dakota Aug 17, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at University of North Dakota (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 34.7% at University of North Dakota.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Dakota graduates have a $592 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, University of North Dakota graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($253 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Dakota students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 76%).

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

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