Northwestern College
Northwestern College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northwestern College at a Glance
Northwestern College is a private Christian college in Orange City, Iowa, United States, that is Reformed, evangelical and ecumenical. Established in 1882, it offers more than 135 academic programs and enrolls over 1,700 students in undergraduate, graduate and online programs.
Is Northwestern College Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Northwestern College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,802 — 7% below average — while paying $25,907/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Northwestern College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Northwestern College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #107 of 205 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #107 | Northwestern College | 31 | $25,907 | $49,802 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Northwestern College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in IA.
Best Programs at Northwestern College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Northwestern College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,907/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Orange City, IA
- Student Body
- 1,175 students
- Admission Rate
- 80%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,907
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,802
- Median Student Debt
- $23,249