University of Northwestern-St Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota · Private Nonprofit · 93.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 47/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
University of Northwestern-St Paul, a Christian (evangelical) private-nonprofit in the Twin Cities, scores 47 - Below Average Value, but with several genuinely strong underlying metrics that elevate the case relative to most poor-value-tier privates. The two standout sub-scores are completion (75 out of 100, with 68.1% finishing) and repayment (87, with 85.3% paying down principal at three years). These suggest UNW does meaningful persistence and post-graduation support work. Where the school struggles is earnings: median earnings of $35,200 at six years and $50,755 at ten years against $21,325 median debt produce a 0.606 debt-to-earnings ratio and a 15.9-year payback period. Sticker tuition is $37,920, with net price $27,705 - the net price exceeds the $21,325 median debt, indicating substantial out-of-pocket family contribution beyond loans. Four-year total cost is $110,820. Pell rate of 15.7% is low - middle- to upper-middle-income student body. The Bible/Biblical Studies program is the largest by a wide margin (167 graduates), so the institutional earnings average reflects a heavy ministry-track student body more than program quality across STEM and business tracks (which actually post B grades).
The data raises concerns about University of Northwestern-St Paul
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- Payback period15.9 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
University of Northwestern-St Paul
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $37,920/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $37,920/yr |
| Average net price | $27,705/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $110,820 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,755 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,325 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $226 |
| Estimated payback period | 15.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 68.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,442 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $37,920/year. Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $27,705/year, or roughly $110,820 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $26,696/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $31,348/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $21,325 in federal loans, which works out to about $226 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $50,755 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.61, within the range advisors call workable but worth keeping an eye on.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,696 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,884 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,689 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,267 |
| $110,001+ | $31,348 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $26,696 net - substantial despite Pell. Four-year cost is over $106,700, against $50,755 in 10-year median earnings. The math is hard even at the best-priced bracket: four-year cost more than doubles 10-year earnings.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) pay $21,689 - actually less than the $30,001-$48,000 bracket's $23,884 and the under-$30K bracket's $26,696. That is an unusual inverted pattern where middle-income pays the least; likely reflects strong institutional merit aid for middle-income students. Four-year cost is roughly $86,800, still well above 10-year earnings.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $25,267, jumping sharply to $31,348 for $110,000+ families. Net price doubles between middle-income and top-tier. Four-year cost at the top is $125,400. For high-income families this is essentially a values-driven full-pay decision; the financial math depends entirely on choosing high-ROI majors like nursing or accounting.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Northwestern-St Paul with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | $51,761 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $78,661 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $68,086 | B |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | $47,802 | C |
| Psychology | $46,555 | C |
| Teacher Education | $45,195 | C |
| Biology | $31,547 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $46,885 | D |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $50,708 | C |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $48,082 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Bible/Biblical Studies
Bible/Biblical Studies is the largest program by far at 167 graduates earning $41,123 in year one and $51,761 by year four against $24,500 debt - a 0.596 debt-to-earnings ratio and C grade. Reasonable earnings for a ministry-track credential reflect graduates moving into church staff, parachurch, and Christian-nonprofit administration roles. PSLF eligibility helps debt management.
Registered Nursing
Nursing produces 54 graduates earning $75,121 in year one and $78,661 by year four against $31,000 debt (0.413 ratio, B grade). Twin Cities healthcare market (Allina, Fairview, HealthPartners) drives strong starting wages. Solid mid-tier nursing pipeline with reliable placement.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration produces 30 graduates earning $54,588 in year one and $68,086 by year four against $21,895 debt - a 0.401 ratio and B grade. Solid Twin Cities corporate placement; the C-suite-feeder ratio puts this in the same band as comparable Minnesota privates.
Accounting
Accounting produces 7 graduates - a small cohort - earning $62,603 in year one and $77,128 by year four against $25,874 debt (0.413 ratio, B grade). CPA-track placement with Twin Cities regional accounting firms drives strong earnings. The small graduate count limits statistical significance but the outcomes are encouraging.
Theological and Ministerial Studies
Theological/Ministerial Studies produces 20 graduates earning $32,815 in year one and $47,802 by year four against $22,000 debt - a 0.670 ratio and C grade. Solid four-year earnings growth reflects graduates moving into pastoral and parachurch leadership roles where PSLF eligibility supports debt management.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 83.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 81.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Northwestern-St Paul’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2023).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 93.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 438-663 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 430-608 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-28 |
| Enrollment | 1,442 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,608 |
UNW admits 93.5% of applicants - broadly accessible. SAT mid-ranges (Math 438-663, Reading 430-608) and ACT 20-28 reflect a wide academic band with a competitive 75th-percentile cohort. The 68.1% completion rate is strong for a school with this admit rate - well above peer privates - suggesting UNW supports admitted students effectively through to a degree. Prepared applicants face nearly automatic admission with reasonable odds of finishing.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UNW's peer set is well-targeted: Augsburg (MN Lutheran), Bethany Lutheran (MN small Lutheran), Delaware Valley (PA), William Jessup (CA Christian), and Bridgewater (VA Mennonite/Brethren). The closest mission peers are William Jessup and Bridgewater - both evangelical small privates with similar enrollment scale. Against this peer band, UNW's 47 score is mid-pack; its completion and repayment numbers are at the high end of the group, while earnings track the ministry-college pattern.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northwestern-St Paul (this school) | 47 | $27,705 | $50,755 |
| Augsburg University | 53 | $23,873 | $58,829 |
| Bridgewater College | 49 | $17,800 | $53,453 |
| Delaware Valley University | 46 | $28,278 | $55,838 |
| William Jessup University | 45 | $28,062 | $56,257 |
| Bethany Lutheran College | 35 | $20,148 | $46,110 |
Who Thrives Here
UNW fits Christian students from across the upper Midwest drawn to a 1,442-student evangelical liberal-arts environment, especially future ministry workers, teachers, nurses, business professionals, and Christian media-and-communication professionals. Pell rate of 15.7% is unusually low - mostly middle- and upper-middle-class students who can carry net price out of pocket. The institutional outcomes are strongest in nursing, accounting, and business administration; weakest in arts and humanities. Best fit for students with clear faith-and-career plans willing to invest substantially.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for University of Northwestern-St Paul is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $27,705 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $50,755 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 15.9 years to earn the cost back - slower than most four-year schools. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: its 68.1% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. What to keep an eye on: weak earnings relative to cost, a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,325 against $50,755 in earnings is reasonable, though your major matters a lot here. Graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.