University of Dubuque vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Deciding between University of Dubuque and University of Northwestern St Paul? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Dubuque

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Dubuque Dubuque, IA
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • University of Dubuque Small City
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Dubuque 1,757
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 3,234
  • Type
  • University of Dubuque Private 4 Year
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Dubuque #681
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul #592
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Dubuque Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Other Protestant
  • Status
  • University of Dubuque Non-profit
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Dubuque dbq.edu
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul unwsp.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Dubuque
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Dubuque $42,095
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $37,920
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Dubuque $42,095
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $37,920
  • Room & Board
  • University of Dubuque $12,150
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $11,534
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Dubuque $26,067
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $29,117
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Dubuque $27,758
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $22,132
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Dubuque 100%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 100%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Dubuque Calculate
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Dubuque 1,486
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1,301
  • Admitted
  • University of Dubuque 1,317
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1,216
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Dubuque 88.6%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 93.5%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Dubuque 23.3%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 30.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Dubuque 1100
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Dubuque 21
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Dubuque 3.24
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 3.58
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Dubuque B+
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Dubuque Easy
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Dubuque
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul
  • ACT Range
  • University of Dubuque 18/24
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 20/28
  • SAT Range
  • University of Dubuque 980/1220
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 868/1271
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Dubuque Test optional
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Dubuque
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Dubuque 10:1
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Dubuque
    • Business (21%)
    • Transportation and Materials Moving (15%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (10%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Dubuque 41%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Dubuque $41,800
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $41,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Dubuque 63%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Dubuque $25,674
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $22,070
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Dubuque $265
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul $228

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Dubuque 58%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 42%
  • % Women
  • University of Dubuque 42%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Dubuque Medium
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Dubuque No
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul No
  • % White
  • University of Dubuque 63%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 84%
  • % Asian
  • University of Dubuque 2%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 4%
  • % Black
  • University of Dubuque 14%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Dubuque 9%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Dubuque 0%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Dubuque 0%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Dubuque 3%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 3%
  • % International
  • University of Dubuque 3%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Dubuque 6%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Dubuque 32%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 74%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Dubuque 57%
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul 25%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul No
  • Learn More
  • University of Dubuque Details
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Dubuque in Dubuque, IA with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northwestern St Paul is larger than University of Dubuque based on total student enrollment (3,234 students vs. 1,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Dubuque is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Dubuque is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Dubuque 10:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

University of Dubuque vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dubuque or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Dubuque than University of Northwestern-St Paul ($26,067 vs. $29,117).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 5.1% lower than at University of Dubuque ($11,534 vs. $12,150).
  • University of Dubuque is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northwestern-St Paul (about $4,175 more per year; $42,095.00 vs. $37,920.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at University of Dubuque than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $4,175 more per year; $42,095.00 vs. $37,920.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Dubuque as at University of Northwestern St Paul (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dubuque students is 25.4% larger than aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students ($27,758 vs. $22,132).

University of Dubuque vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Dubuque or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and University of Dubuque.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dubuque (1100) is 30 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
  • Incoming University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at University of Dubuque).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dubuque 980/1220; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dubuque 18/24; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Dubuque - Test optional; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at University of Dubuque (3.24).
  • University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than University of Dubuque (88.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at University of Dubuque vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

University of Dubuque vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Dubuque and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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).

  • University of Northwestern St Paul's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of Dubuque's (41%).
  • Graduates from University of Dubuque earn a median of about $700 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $3,604 lower median loan debt than University of Dubuque graduates ($22,070 vs. $25,674).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dubuque graduates ($228 vs. $265).
  • More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Dubuque students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 63%)

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.