At a Glance


Get a quick glimpse of the basic facts about Northwestern, including our location, demographics, and financial aid.

Undergraduate-Hero-Featured

Academics

One of the best Minnesota Christian universities with undergraduate, PSEO and Early College, graduate, and adult undergraduate degree programs.

  • More than 65 areas of undergraduate study
  • Five master’s degree programs
  • Five graduate certificates
  • 1 undergraduate certificate
  • 4 associates degree programs
  • Average undergraduate class size of 22
  • 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio

Admission

Prospective students who demonstrate potential to positively influence the University of Northwestern community through character, depth, abilities, or background will be shown preference in the admission process.

  • Average GPA: 3.5
  • Average ACT score: 24
  • Average SAT score: 1220

Athletics

Northwestern Eagles are part of NCAA-Division III, 20 varsity sports as well as intramural sports offered throughout the year. 

UNW athletes are recognized for their high standards on and off the field, with 162 athletes earning Upper Midwest Athletic Conference [UMAC] Academic All-Conference honors in the 2020–21 athletic year, and 30 UNW Eagles teams making NCAA National Tournament appearances since 2010. 

Campus

  • Located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs of Roseville and Arden Hills, Minnesota, just minutes from two major downtown areas
  • 107-acre campus on beautiful Lake Johanna
  • In its current location since 1972, the original campus—founded in 1902 by Dr. William B. Riley, pastor and well-known evangelist—was in the Loring Park area of Minneapolis

Clubs

More than 30 clubs are offered for student engagement each year in areas including recreational, relational, educational, spiritual, vocational, and opportunities for witness/service.

Annual Undergraduate Expenses

  • Tuition: $32,490 (2020–21)
  • Average cost of campus housing: $5,920
  • Average cost of a freshman meal plan: $4,080

Financial Aid

100% of Northwestern traditional undergraduate students receive some type of financial aid.

FAFSA

FAFSA code: 002371

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be completed after October 1 in the year prior to your first college term. The online application allows parents to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool imbedded within the FAFSA to make the transfer of tax information quick and automatic.

Priority is given to students who apply before May 1. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 866-853-2455.

Students

3,353 Total Undergraduate Students (Fall 2021)

110 Total Graduate Students

Geographical distribution of undergraduates

Top 10 states (Fall 2019):

2,999 — Minnesota (88%)
165 — Wisconsin
79 — Iowa
24 — Nebraska
20 — California
20 — South Dakota
18 — North Dakota
17 — Colorado
13 — Illinois
10 — Texas