Is the University of Northwestern - St. Paul the Right School for You?

The University of Northwestern - St. Paul changed its name from Northwestern College in 2013. Originally founded as a small missionary college in 1902, the school now enrolls more than 3,000 students. This private, not-for-profit college offers more than 50 degree programs, of which psychology and business are the most popular majors, according to US News and world Report. Situated on 102 acres, this suburban school runs on a semester based calendar. Read on to find out if the University of Northwestern- St. Paul is the school for you.

Pros

• Ranked top 20 among Midwestern colleges in 2014, according to US News and World Report
• Total cost for 2012-2013 was $1,318 less than the national average for 4-year private, not-for-profit schools
• Graduation rate is 8 percentage points higher than the national average for students attending 4-year colleges between the years of 2005-2009
• Accepts dual credit and AP credit
• No graduate assistants teaching classes

Cons

• Acceptance rate is slightly lower than the national average
• Student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1, which is higher than the average of 11:1 for private schools

Rankings and School Analysis

According to U.S. News and World Report, the University of Northwestern - St. Paul ranked 13th among best Regional Colleges (Midwest) in 2014. The school is a Christian college and incorporates this worldview into many areas of student life and academic pursuits on campus.

The University of Northwestern - St. Paul is not only a highly ranked school, but is also slightly more affordable than average. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the total cost to attend in the 2012-2013 year, including tuition, fees, room and board, was $38,200. This is cheaper than the average for 4-year, private schools in that year, which was reported by The College Board to be $39,518. However, you should know that the acceptance rate at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul was reported by NCES to be 60% in 2012, which is less than the national average of 63.8%.

An aspect of the university that may interest you is its early college program. This state-funded program allows Minnesota juniors and seniors to earn college credit either on campus or online while still enrolled in high school. The online early college program is also available to students anywhere in the world, at a cost that the college claims is lower than other courses of this kind. Even if you do not enroll in the early college program, this school does accept AP and dual credit, so you might be able to earn some credits before you enroll.

Additional student services offered by the school include remedial services, career and academic counseling, employment services for students, and job-placement assistance for graduates. Study abroad opportunities will also be available to you at this school; students enrolled at Northwestern have studied in Africa, Europe, and Asia. This school also sponsors mission trips, falling in line with its tradition as a missionary school; these trips may involve serving the urban poor in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, or New Orleans, or may take you further from home to Guatemala or Mexico.

Getting in and Financial Aid at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul

If you want to apply to the university, you should have your application materials in by August 1st. You will need to outline your personal and academic information in your application, read the Declaration of Christian Community, and submit your standardized test scores and official high school transcripts to complete your petition for admission. Prospects exhibiting the possibility to positively influence the college community are given preference by the admissions committee, according to the school. So, if you feel that you have some special skills or experience that are in line with this school's mission, you should mention it in your application. Additionally, the priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is May 1st.

Student Life at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul

Just minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul, Northwestern is located close to shopping, sports, and cultural venues: the school website claims 250 parks and 936 lakes are nearby. Also, the school's proximity to large corporations may provide you with opportunities for internships or post-graduate employment, if you choose to remain in the area.

When considering what life at the university will be like for you, it is important to note that the school's website reports it is a Christian liberal arts college, and that all members of the school community, including faculty, staff, and students, practice Christianity. Furthermore, students are encouraged to explore local churches, and to attend church services on campus. The school also partners with local faith-based groups by providing guest speakers and organizing youth group events in the local community.

Sources: * College Board ,**University of Northwestern - St. Paul, ***NCES College Navigator, ****US News and World Report

Contact Information

• Address: University of Northwestern - St. Paul, Office of Admissions, 3003 Snelling Avenue North St. Paul, MN 55113-1598
• Phone: 800-827-6827