Campus Identity
Northwestern College is a small private nonprofit university in Orange City, IA. Approximately 1,175 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 80% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 76/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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At a Glance
Northwestern College is a small private nonprofit university in Orange City, IA. Approximately 1,175 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 80% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 76/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Campus Lifestyle
Northwestern College is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NAIA athletics. The campus is 50 miles from Great Bear Ski Valley.
Athletics
NAIA
GPAC
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Town setting
Weather
Cold Climate
40°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Northwestern College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Great Bear Ski Valley, 50 miles away. All are within 126 miles of campus.
South Dakota
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Orange City, IA
Orange City has a cool climate, with winters averaging 18°F in Jan and summers peaking around 73°F in Jul.
Station: SIOUX CENTER 2 SE · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Northwestern College in IA earns a composite safety score of 76/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $36,710 |
| Fees | $240 |
| Room & Board | $11,100 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $48,050 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
53 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Northwestern College located?
Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA. The main campus address is 101 Seventh St SW, Orange City, IA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Northwestern College?
Northwestern College has an acceptance rate of 80%, making it accessible. Out of 1,497 applicants, 1,203 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,175 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Northwestern College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Northwestern College scored between ? and ? on the ACT, with a median of 24. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Northwestern College?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Northwestern College charges $36,710/year in tuition. Including room and board ($11,100/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $33,590/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,907/year — what students actually pay. Use Northwestern College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
Does Northwestern College have college sports?
Yes — Northwestern College competes at the NAIA level in the GPAC. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.
Is Northwestern College the right fit for me?
Whether Northwestern College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (80% admit rate), avg net price ($25,907/year after aid), campus culture in Orange City, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Northwestern College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Northwestern College directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Orange City, IA
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Certificates
- NCAA
- NAIA
- Conference
- GPAC
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 40°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 76/100
- Nearest Airport
- Sioux City, IA (SUX) · 45 mialso FSD (53 mi), YKN (67 mi)
Location
Orange City, IA