SCI-Arc vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern College is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (1,705 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); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 19.9% lower than at Southern California Institute of Architecture ($10,900 vs. $13,600).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at SCI-Arc than at Northwestern College (about $19,452 more per year; $56,162 vs. $36,710).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (100% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 81.1% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($42,627 vs. $23,537).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at SCI-Arc, test-free at Northwestern College.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at SCI-Arc vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $17,658 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($25,092 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $183 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($259 vs. $442).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 62%).

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