University of Northwestern-St Paul is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It enrolls 1,442 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
56/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes73
Value14
Affordability15
Selectivity32
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 93.5%, University of Northwestern-St Paul is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
93.5%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
868 – 1271
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
20 – 28
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Northwestern-St Paul is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Northwestern-St Paul isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $27,705 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$27,705
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
16%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
27%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$37,920
Room & Board (on-campus)
$11,534
Room & Board (off-campus)
$9,768
Books & Supplies
$400
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,370
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,160
Total Cost of Attendance
$51,325
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$26,696
$30,001 – $48,000
$23,884
$48,001 – $75,000
$21,689
$75,001 – $110,000
$25,267
Over $110,000
$31,348
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$4,75010%percentile
$8,50025%percentile
$21,325Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$34,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $18,531
↓ $2,794
No Pell $16,438
↓ $4,887
Dependent students $17,164
↓ $4,161
Independent students $20,059
↓ $1,266
Female students $18,750
↓ $2,575
Male students $15,524
↓ $5,801
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $10,250, less than completers ($21,325), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
65% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Northwestern-St Paul graduate within six years, and 84% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
65%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
84%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Northwestern-St Paul earn a median of $50,755 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$50,755
Earning > $25K
77%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$35,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$55,000
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$39,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$42,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$45,500
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $19,800, about 36% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
11.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 95% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Northwestern-St Paul is home to 1,442 students, a small, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
1,442
Part-Time
8%
First-Generation
16%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 77.7%1,121
Hispanic 6.5%94
Black 5.3%77
Other 4.9%70
Asian 3.5%51
International 0.9%13
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Northwestern-St Paul. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbSaint Paul, Minnesota
Housing
Mostly residential966 beds on campus
Adult Learners
3%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
University of Northwestern-St Paul offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
50 distinct programs across
23 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Northwestern-St Paul is 15:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
15:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$132M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$57,240
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
72 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
27
38%
$62,835
Associate Professors
13
18%
$56,538
Assistant Professors
26
36%
$56,519
Instructors
3
4%
$42,819
Lecturers
3
4%
$30,604
Pros & Cons of University of Northwestern-St Paul
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Northwestern-St Paul tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Northwestern-St Paul is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Northwestern-St Paul
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Northwestern-St Paul.
Is University of Northwestern-St Paul hard to get into?
University of Northwestern-St Paul has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 93.5%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Northwestern-St Paul?
University of Northwestern-St Paul has an acceptance rate of 93.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Northwestern-St Paul?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Northwestern-St Paul scored between 868 and 1271 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Northwestern-St Paul?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Northwestern-St Paul scored between 20 and 28 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Northwestern-St Paul cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Northwestern-St Paul is $27,705 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Northwestern-St Paul worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $50,755 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $27,705 per year. That's roughly 1.8x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Northwestern-St Paul known for?
University of Northwestern-St Paul is best known for its programs in Bible/Biblical Studies, Nursing, Liberal Arts. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Northwestern-St Paul are $50,755, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Northwestern-St Paul accredited?
Yes. University of Northwestern-St Paul is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Northwestern-St Paul?
University of Northwestern-St Paul enrolls 1,442 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Northwestern-St Paul?
University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates 65% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Northwestern-St Paul a public or private college?
University of Northwestern-St Paul is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is University of Northwestern-St Paul located?
University of Northwestern-St Paul is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
What programs does University of Northwestern-St Paul offer?
University of Northwestern-St Paul offers 50 distinct programs. The most popular include Bible/Biblical Studies, Nursing, Liberal Arts.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Northwestern-St Paul?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Northwestern-St Paul is 15:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Minnesota
Other colleges in Minnesota share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Build Your College List Pillar
The full process of narrowing from 3,839 US colleges to a shortlist of ~10. Cost, location, size, selectivity, and fit factors that actually predict whether you'll thrive.
What actually makes a college work for first-generation students, the support and aid signals that predict success, and how to find the schools that deliver them using federal data.
How to find the colleges that deliver the strongest return on a STEM degree by weighing earnings outcomes against net cost, rather than chasing the most selective name.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
American Colleges by the Numbers
One federal dataset, 3,839 colleges. The median school costs $16,371 a year, admits 78% of applicants, and enrolls 1,259 students. The shape of US higher ed.
Higher education data
Net price
College enrollment
Acceptance rate
College ownership
Do Selective Schools Actually Graduate More Students?
Across 1,645 four-year colleges, graduation rates climb steadily with selectivity, from 54% at open-admission schools to 93% at the most exclusive. The gap is real.
Graduation rate
Acceptance rate
Selectivity
Completion
College outcomes
For-Profit Colleges Charge the Most and Pay the Least
For-profit colleges post the highest median net price of any sector and the lowest graduate earnings. They cost more than private nonprofits and pay less than publics.
For-profit colleges
Net price
Earnings
College ROI
College ownership
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
