Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 69.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 68.4%
- Retention Rate
- 84.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $50,755
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,325
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 76.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $226/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,771 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $59,124 | $25,038 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $20,598 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $53,358 | |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $47,260 | $24,443 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $17,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $39,009 | |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,518 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $35,416 | $22,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $18,803 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $33,192 | $20,000 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies. | Bachelor | $33,077 | $24,218 |
Outcomes Overview
Northwestern graduates enter the workforce with manageable financial burdens compared to many private colleges. The median debt of $21,325 creates monthly payments of $226, representing just 5.5% of typical graduate income of $50,755 after ten years. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 falls well below the concerning 1.0 threshold financial experts warn against. The school's Christian focus traditionally funnels graduates into ministry, education, and social services sectors, where salaries start modestly but offer meaningful work. With 96.7% of graduates employed and a loan repayment rate of 76.39%, Northwestern delivers solid financial outcomes despite career paths that prioritize service over high earnings. The return on investment is strong for mission-driven students.