Clarke University vs Northwestern College
Clarke University and Northwestern College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Clarke, a Catholic university in Dubuque, Iowa, boasts a 90% acceptance rate, while Northwestern, a Christian college in Orange City, Iowa, maintains a more selective 75% acceptance rate. Clarke's student body is more diverse, with 33% of students identifying as minorities compared to Northwestern's 18%. Both institutions excel in certain academic areas; Clarke is known for its strong nursing and education programs, while Northwestern shines in business and engineering. With graduation rates of 62% and 65% respectively, both universities demonstrate a commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Clarke University |
![]() Northwestern College |
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Overview |
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Location | Dubuque, Iowa | Orange City, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 65.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.8% | 83.0% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 900 - 1120 | 940 - 1240 |
ACT range | 19 - 23 | 20 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | 8.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | 82.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,006 | 1,172 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,781 | 973 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 183 | 268 |
Yield rate | 10.3% | 27.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,241 | $47,650 |
Average net price | $25,414 | $24,848 |
Tuition | $35,740 | $33,350 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,900
Meal plan:
$5,500
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$10,000 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $23,968 |
100.0%
Average amount $21,873 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
81.0%
Average amount $8,599 |
69.0%
Average amount $5,257 |
Students taking out private loans |
27.0%
Average amount $12,203 |
21.0%
Average amount $10,813 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
717
Men 54.5% Women 45.5% |
1,053
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
Graduate students |
171
Men 22.2% Women 77.8% |
460
Men 24.3% Women 75.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 4.6% | 2.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 536 | 995 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.5% | 70.8% |
Dropout rate | 6.2% | 6.5% |
Transferred out | 39.3% | 22.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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