SCI-Arc vs. NNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA with Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Nazarene University is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (1,635 students vs. 418 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern California Institute of Architecture is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Northwest Nazarene University is in Nampa, ID (Small City setting).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1; Northwest Nazarene University 14:1.

SCI-Arc vs. NNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc or NNU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern California Institute of Architecture than NNU ($28,985 vs. $30,178).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Nazarene University are 11.2% lower than at Southern California Institute of Architecture ($12,070 vs. $13,600).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 37.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NNU (about $15,368 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $40,794.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.7% higher at SCI-Arc than at Northwest Nazarene University (about $15,368 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $40,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Nazarene University than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (99% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 69.5% larger than aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students ($42,627 vs. $25,146).

SCI-Arc vs. NNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc or NNU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NNU and SCI-Arc.

• Northwest Nazarene University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 10 points higher than at NNU (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230; Northwest Nazarene University 1005/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthwest Nazarene University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCI-Arc - Test optional; NNU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027; NNU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than NNU (64.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at SCI-Arc vs. 9.9% at NNU.

SCI-Arc vs. NNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCI-Arc and NNU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Northwest Nazarene University's (52%).
• Graduates from Southern California Institute of Architecture earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than NNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Nazarene University graduates have a $16,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($26,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, NNU graduates have an estimated $174 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($268 vs. $442).
• More NNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.