Northwestern College

Orange City, IA · Private nonprofit · 4-year

Northwestern College has a 87.0% acceptance rate. Northwestern College is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Orange City, IA, with a median SAT of 1090 and a median ACT of 24. The average net price is $25,907 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.

Admissions Statistics

Acceptance Rate

87.0%

1,155 applicants

SAT Median

1090

Combined score

ACT Median

24

Composite score

Avg Net Price

$25,907

After financial aid

SAT & ACT Scores at Northwestern College

Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Northwestern College (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT (total, 400–1600)1090
ACT (composite, 1–36)24

Student Outcomes

Graduation Rate

0.6%

Retention Rate

73.5%

Median Earnings (10yr)

N/A

Student Body

1,175

Net Price by Family Income

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Northwestern College:

Family IncomeAvg Net Price/Year
$0 – $30,000$27,059
$30,001 – $48,000$19,503
$48,001 – $75,000$20,572
$75,001 – $110,000$24,265
$110,000+$29,539

Top Majors at Northwestern College

MajorDegrees Awarded
Business, Management & Marketing60
Education49
Health Professions31
Parks, Recreation & Fitness23
Biological & Biomedical Sciences19
Psychology10
Public Administration & Social Services8
Communication & Journalism7
Visual & Performing Arts7
Homeland Security & Criminal Justice6

Financial Aid at Northwestern College

About Northwestern College

Official website: https://www.nwciowa.edu/

Admissions: https://www.nwciowa.edu/admissions/

Frequently Asked Questions About Northwestern College

What is the acceptance rate at Northwestern College?

Northwestern College has an acceptance rate of 87%. it received about 1,155 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1090; the average net price is $25,907 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Northwestern College for free using your GPA and test scores.

How hard is it to get into Northwestern College?

Getting into Northwestern College is accessible for most qualified applicants — it admits 87% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1090. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Northwestern College for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.

What SAT or ACT scores do you need for Northwestern College?

Admitted students at Northwestern College typically have a median SAT around 1090 and a median ACT around 24. With a 87% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.

How much does it cost to attend Northwestern College?

The average net price at Northwestern College is $25,907 per year after grants and scholarships. about 100% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $23,319 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.

What is the graduation rate at Northwestern College?

Northwestern College has a graduation rate of 1%. its first-year retention rate is 74%. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Northwestern College against similar colleges on Admit Coach.

Is Northwestern College test-optional?

For the 2025–26 cycle, Northwestern College is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1090. With a 87% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Northwestern College's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.

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