Iowa vs. Northwestern College

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

University of Iowa
Northwestern College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 83.6%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: Iowa. Average net price is $21,765 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Iowa 71% vs Northwestern College 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Iowa $59,800 vs Northwestern College $38,400 (median).
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Key differences

University of Iowa Northwestern College
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
Iowa83.6%
Northwestern College80.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Iowa higher
Iowa1130-1330
Northwestern College940-1240
Average net price
Iowa $4,582 less
Iowa$21,765
Northwestern College$26,347
In-state tuition
Iowa $25,427 less
Iowa$11,283
Northwestern College$36,710
Out-of-state tuition
Iowa $3,339 less
Iowa$33,371
Northwestern College$36,710
Graduation rate
Iowa +5 pts
Iowa71%
Northwestern College66%
Median earnings (10 years)
Iowa +$21,400
Iowa$59,800
Northwestern College$38,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Iowa 27,770
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • Admitted
  • Iowa 23,222
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • Acceptance rate
  • Iowa 83.6%
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Iowa 22.4%
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Iowa 1230
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Iowa 24
  • Northwestern College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Iowa 3.81
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • Iowa A-
  • Northwestern College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Iowa Challenging
  • Northwestern College Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Iowa
  • Northwestern College
  • SAT range
  • Iowa 1130-1330
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • ACT range
  • Iowa 21-28
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Iowa Test optional
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Iowa May 1, 2027
  • Northwestern College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Iowa $11,283
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Iowa $33,371
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Room & board
  • Iowa $12,920
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • Average net price
  • Iowa $21,765
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • Average grant aid
  • Iowa $9,865
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Iowa 76%
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Iowa 71%
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Iowa $59,800
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Iowa 70%
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Iowa $21,616
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • Median loan payment
  • Iowa $223
  • Northwestern College $259
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Iowa 16:1
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Iowa
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Iowa Iowa City, IA
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • Setting
  • Iowa Small City
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Iowa 30,779
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • Type
  • Iowa Public 4 Year
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Iowa #233
  • Northwestern College #633

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 15.6% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,900 vs. $12,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Northwestern College than at University of Iowa (about $3,339 more per year; $36,710 vs. $33,371).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 138.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($23,537 vs. $9,865).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Iowa than at Northwestern College (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Iowa, test-free at Northwestern College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Iowa average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,476 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($223 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 70%).

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

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