Northwestern College (NWC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Northwestern College
Set amid Orange City's Dutch storefronts and tulip-lined streets, Northwestern College is known for a tight-knit, faith-infused campus where professors actually learn your name. Classes lean into discussion and real practice, backed by studios, labs, a well-used library, a campus chapel and arts spaces, plus a fitness center and fields. Students find steady support through advising, tutoring, counseling and career coaching that starts early and doesn't feel transactional.
Student life skews lively and grounded. You'll see music and theater one night, intramurals the next, with service projects and regular chapel gatherings shaping the cadence of the week. The culture has a reputation for hospitality, thoughtful conversation and rolling up sleeves when something needs doing. Career prep runs through internships with regional organizations, mentoring and an alumni network that opens doors across the Midwest. Off campus, the town's walkable core, coffee shops and the annual Tulip Festival add color and chances to plug in quickly.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Northwestern College (NWC) offers 50 degree programs across 20 major academic fields, graduating approximately 638 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (13 programs, 367 graduates), Business (4 programs, 78 graduates), Health (3 programs, 60 graduates), Kinesiology (2 programs, 28 graduates) and Biological Sciences (4 programs, 20 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (13 programs, 367 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 97 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.0401 |
| Computer Teacher Education | 67 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1321 |
| Early Childhood Education | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1210 |
| Early Childhood Special Education Teaching | 39 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1015 |
| Special Education Teaching | 35 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1099 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1205 |
| Special Education Teaching | 21 |
|
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Elementary Education | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1314 |
| History Teacher Education | 6 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1328 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1318 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1305 |
| Music Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
Business (4 programs, 78 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 60 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0799 |
| Actuarial Science | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1304 |
Health (3 programs, 60 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Physician Assistant | 29 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Art Therapy | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2301 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 28 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0504 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 20 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Genome Sciences and Genomics | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0807 |
| Biophysics | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0203 |
| Environmental Biology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1305 |
Psychology (2 programs, 16 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 4 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
Arts (5 programs, 11 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theatre Arts | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Music | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Graphic Design | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.9999 |
| Art Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
Languages (2 programs, 10 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Interpretation and Translation | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
16.0103 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
Public Services (1 programs, 8 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0701 |
Communication (1 programs, 7 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Advertising | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0900 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Northwestern College (NWC).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Northwestern College (NWC)
How much does it cost to attend Northwestern College (NWC)?
The annual tuition at Northwestern College (NWC) is $35,300 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $50,300 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,700 and books and supplies $1,100.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Northwestern College offer?
Northwestern College (NWC) offers 50 academic programs across 20 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (13 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (4 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (3 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (2 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Northwestern College?
Northwestern College (NWC) has an 87% acceptance rate and a 28.2% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 1,155
- Students admitted: 1,005
- Students enrolled: 283
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Northwestern College?
Northwestern College (NWC) provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $23,319 and average loans of $7,565.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,031
- State/Local grants: $6,868
- Institutional grants: $20,191
- Federal loans: $5,206
The university supports 288 students with grants and 190 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Northwestern College graduates?
Northwestern College (NWC) graduates earn a median salary of $46,731 after 6 years and $49,802 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $35,860 (25th percentile) to $69,611 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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