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Northwestern College vs Waldorf University

Northwestern College is a private college in Orange City, IA. Waldorf University is a private for-profit university in Forest City, IA. Waldorf University admits about 77% of applicants and Northwestern College about 80%, making Waldorf University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,693 a year at Waldorf University after aid, and about $25,907 at Northwestern College. About 65% of students graduate at Northwestern College, compared with 24% at Waldorf University. Ten years after enrolling, Waldorf University alumni earn a median of about $51,165, against $49,802 for Northwestern College.

Northwestern College

Orange City, IA · Private

Waldorf University

Forest City, IA · Private (for-profit)
At a glance
Type
Private
Private (for-profit)
Location
Orange City, IA
Forest City, IA
Setting
Suburban
Rural
Undergraduates
1,175
1,827
Acceptance rate
80%
77%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.33–3.83
3.34–3.84
SAT (middle 50%)
940–1240
920–1110
ACT (middle 50%)
20–27
17–21
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,907
$19,693
Full cost / yr
$49,783
$39,675
In-state tuition
$36,710
$25,978
Out-of-state tuition
$36,710
$25,978
Application fee
Not reported
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$27,059
$16,448
$30k - $48k
$19,503
$18,378
$48k - $75k
$20,572
$23,045
$75k - $110k
$24,265
$21,244
Over $110k
$29,539
$23,667
Outcomes
Graduation rate
65%
24%
Freshman retention
74%
44%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,731
$50,515
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,802
$51,165
Median debt at graduation
$23,249
$18,752
Student body
Pell grant recipients
25%
36%
First-generation students
13%
46%
International students
4%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Northwestern College or Waldorf University harder to get into?
Waldorf University is harder to get into. It admits about 77% of applicants, compared with 80% at Northwestern College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Northwestern College or Waldorf University?
Waldorf University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,693 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,907 at Northwestern College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Northwestern College and Waldorf University?
Before aid, Waldorf University costs about $39,675 a year and Northwestern College about $49,783. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Northwestern College or Waldorf University?
Waldorf University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,448 there, against about $27,059 at Northwestern College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Northwestern College or Waldorf University?
Waldorf University is the larger of the two, with about 1,827 undergraduates against 1,175 at Northwestern College.
Does Northwestern College or Waldorf University have a better graduation rate?
Northwestern College has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 24% at Waldorf University.
Do graduates of Northwestern College or Waldorf University earn more?
Waldorf University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $51,165 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,802 for Northwestern College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Northwestern College and Waldorf University require SAT or ACT scores?
Northwestern College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Waldorf University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Northwestern College and Waldorf University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 940–1240 at Northwestern College and 920–1110 at Waldorf University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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