youYou’re a difference-maker. That makes you different. Success matters.
But you care more about succeeding in ways that matter. Want to be confident? Prepared? Ready to lead a life that stands out?
You belong at Northwestern College.
Lead + serve. Be smart + strong. Courageous + faithful. Build community + experience belonging.
Our promise:
You’ll stand out here.
You’ll learn to be great— not for your glory, but for God’s. Not for yourself, but for others. You’ll be equipped for your career. For God’s call on your life. For success. For significance.
Be a Raider. Because #RaidersStandOut.
prepare for significance
As a Raider, you’ll be challenged and encouraged to pursue your passions and expand your knowledge. You’ll learn from professors who are not only brilliant scholars but committed Christians. You’ll get great preparation for your career—and you’ll be empowered to lead a life of significance
MAJORS + MINORS
Accounting
Actuarial science
Art
Art therapy
Arts administration*
Biblical and theological studies
Biochemistry
Biology
Biology–ecological science
Biology–genetics, molecular and cellular
Biology–health professions
Biophysics
Business administration
Business–agricultural
Business–finance
Business–international
Business–management
Business–marketing
Business education
Chemistry
Computer science
Criminal justice
Cultural studies*
Data science and statistics
Developmental psychology*
Economics
Education–elementary
Education–secondary
Education studies
Engineering
English teaching
Entrepreneurship*
Exercise science
Graphic design
Health*
History
Humanities
Journalism*
Leadership studies*
Mathematics
Mathematics teaching*
Medical laboratory science
Middle East studies*
Mission and justice*
Multimedia*
Music
Music–modified with elementary education
Music–secondary education
Nonprofit management*
Nursing (BSN)
Philosophy*
Physical education
Physics*
Physics education
Political science
Project management*
Psychology
Public relations
Social enterprise
Social studies teaching
Social work
Sociology
Software engineering
Spanish
Spanish-English translation and interpretation
Special education teaching
Sport management–business
Sport management–leadership
Sport management–media and marketing
Teaching English as a second language*
Theatre
Theatre education
Worship arts
Youth ministry and Christian formation
*minor only
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Athletic training
Chiropractic
Dentistry
Law
Medicine
Mortuary science
Music therapy
Occupational therapy
Optometry
Pharmacy
Physical therapy
Physician assistant
Veterinary medicine
CAREER CONCENTRATIONS
Christian theatre ministries
Computer science
Fitness management
Sport management
Strength and conditioning
ONLINE ONLY
Early childhood education
RN to BSN (nursing)
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Business administration
Counseling
Education
Physician assistant studies
UNDECIDED ON A MAJOR? THAT’S OK!
Staff in our Compass Center for Career & Calling will help you explore your options.
Raidersstand out
Top Score
A Raider accounting grad had one of the nation’s top-40 scores (out of 86,000) on the CPA exam in 2023.
Perfect
Our 2023 nursing grads recorded a 100% pass rate on their board exams.
Best in Show
Northwestern College theatre students have won national awards in dramaturgy, sound, scenic and lighting design 4 years in a row.
Elite Research
NWC science students participate in SEA-PHAGES, a global effort to discover phages and sequence and annotate their DNA.
TOP
1%
NWC senior business majors score in the top 1% of 5,000+ teams in the international Business Strategy Game.
100%
100% of our 2024 science grads who pursued medical school were accepted.
Impressive Outcomes
Our actuarial science grads average 75% to 95% pass rates on actuarial exams.
Northwestern professors are experts in their fields of study. They’re nationally and internationally recognized for their writing and research. They’ve earned PhDs from schools like Yale and Princeton. And they’re loved by Northwestern students not only for the way they integrate faith and academics, but because of who they are. Northwestern professors want to know you, invest in you and see you succeed. Your success matters to them—but more importantly, who you are as a person matters to them.
14:1 STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
1
IOWA PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR
2 FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS
89% HAVE THE HIGHEST DEGREE IN THEIR FIELD
personable profs
Wherever you are in your faith journey, there’s a place for you at Northwestern. At Iowa’s Standout Christian College, you’ll have many opportunities to learn + worship as you develop a deeper relationship with Christ. You’ll be encouraged to live out your faith, and you’ll be challenged to pursue God’s redeeming work in the world.
Here are some ways you’ll grow in your faith:
• Academics rooted in biblical truth
• Chapel worship
• Christian clubs
• Discipleship groups + Bible studies
• Justice + Service ministry teams
• Ngage series + NEDTalks
• Short-term mission trips
• Spiritual retreats
• Sunday night Praise + Worship
pursue Christ
you’lllove i t here
86% OF UNDERGRADS LIVE ON CAMPUS
Northwestern’s exceptional community starts in your residence hall. You’ll live with freshmen and upperclassmen who will embrace you and want you to grow + succeed. You can join decades-long dorm traditions or start new ones. Each residence hall is located near the center of campus, making your walk to class, activities and dining easy.
You’ll also love Orange City. Home to 6,200 people, Orange City is known for friendliness, cleanliness, safety and its charming Dutch downtown. It’s been recognized as one of the nation’s Top 10 Christian College Towns.
5 RESIDENCE HALLS (plus apartments for upperclassmen)
9 in10 STUDENTS FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING
life in Raider Nation
College is the time of your life, and there’s always something happening at Northwestern. From dorm traditions to annual events, your social calendar can be as full as you want it to be. Cheer on the Raiders at athletic events, enjoy music concerts + theatre productions, participate in game-show-like competitions, take part in bingo + trivia contests …
Simply put, life in Raider Nation stands out. That’s why we have better student satisfaction scores than our competitors for school spirit, belonging, personal attention and academic reputation.
50+ STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
3 CAMPUS DINING OPTIONS
20+ INTRAMURAL OPPORTUNITIES
explore + serve
Love to travel? NWC has options. Spend a semester across the globe taking classes while immersing yourself in a new culture. (If you don’t want to be away for so long, take a threeweek summer study abroad course led by a Northwestern professor.)
Hoping to intern? Staff in Northwestern’s Compass Center for Career & Calling will help you secure a great gig. Hands-on experience stands out on a resume, so they’ll help you build your professional network and impress potential employers. You can intern locally or through offcampus programs.
Looking to serve? We offer opportunities for that too. Sign up for a Spring Service Partnership (SSP) and spend spring break serving in one of 12+ locations. Or spend a portion of your summer volunteering with one of Northwestern’s mission partners either stateside or abroad.
40+ STUDENTS STUDY OFF CAMPUS EACH YEAR
115+ STUDENTS INTERN ANNUALLY
170+ STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SHORT-TERM MISSIONS EACH YEAR
Raiderswin
Raider athletes set records and take home trophies. Like you, Raiders love to win. But more than that, our athletes and coaches care about developing character, confidence, perseverance and resilience.
Raiders compete to honor Christ.
Northwestern competes in 22 varsity sports and is part of the Great Plains Athletic Conference:
• Baseball
• Basketball (m+w)
• Cheer (coed)
• Cross country (m+w)
• Dance
• Esports (coed)
• Football
• Golf (m+w)
• Soccer (m+w)
• Softball
• Tennis (m+w)
• Track & field (m+w)
• Volleyball (w)
• Wrestling (m)
12
SPORTS QUALIFIED FOR NATIONALS IN 2023–24
ALL
RAIDER TEAMS EARNED AN AVERAGE GPA OF 3.0+ IN 2023–24
NATIONAL RUNNERS-UP
IN NAIA FOOTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL IN 2023
10
TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
take the stage
If you love to perform, join one or more of our music or theatre ensembles, directed by professors who are master performers themselves. Raiders take the stage to create beautiful works that reflect the beautiful work of God. They perform in Northwestern’s award-winning music and theatre facilities, and they tour across the U.S. and around the world.
Music, theatre and worship arts opportunities + scholarships are open by audition to all Northwestern students, regardless of major.
Vocal
• A cappella Choir
• Heritage Singers
• Women’s Choir
• Worship teams
Instrumental
• Chamber ensembles
• Jazz Band
• Orchestra
• Raider Athletic Band
• Symphonic Band
• Worship teams
Theatre
• Black V improv
• Drama Ministries Ensemble
• Theatre production ensemble (6+ shows/year)
success starts here
Northwestern College students excel in the classroom—and beyond. When they graduate, they find great success in their careers and graduate school. (81% of Raider alumni who pursue advanced degrees report NWC prepared them well or very well for graduate school.) The same will be true for you.
Recent Raider grads landed jobs or are studying at places like:
• Amazon
• Children’s Home Society of South Dakota
• Exemplar Genetics
• EY
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Google
• Habitat for Humanity
• Iowa State Patrol
• John Deere Engine Works
• Johns Hopkins University
• KELOLAND Media Group
• Mayo Clinic
• Nationwide Insurance
• Northwestern University Theatre
• POET Biofuels
• Princeton Theological Seminary
• Principal Financial Group
• San Diego Padres
• Sanford Health
• Seattle Children’s Hospital
• SoundReserve Studios
• Uganda Christian University
• University of Alabama Optometry School
• University of Iowa Medical School
• University of Oregon School of Law
• University of WisconsinMadison
99% OF OUR RECENT GRADUATES WERE EMPLOYED OR IN GRAD SCHOOL WITHIN SIX MONTHS
Northwestern has shown me what it means to have an intentional, loving community that supports you in all areas of life.
MEGAN BOSCH Ankeny, Iowa psychology
The professors at Northwestern are so welcoming. Whenever you have a question, they’re always willing to answer and work with you.
JULIAN REYES PALMA Rock Valley, Iowa elementary education
I’m most grateful for the people at Northwestern. I appreciate how much they are willing to pour into your life because they want you to succeed.
At Northwestern, I’ve grown as a person in that I know to be where my feet are. I’ve learned to be intentional with my time and in my relationships.
MOLLY SCHANY Emmetsburg, Iowa exercise science
Visit. See why you’ll want to call Raider Nation home. Meet students + professors. Tour campus. Sit in on a class, practice or performance. Schedule an individual visit or come on a Raider Day.
Apply. College is one of the best (and biggest) investments of your life. Apply for free and find out how affordable your Northwestern College education can be.
You belong in Raider Nation: nwciowa.edu/BeARaider
$15,000
100% OF NWC STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID
NWC accepts college credits you’ve earned in high school* *for courses in which you’ve earned a C or better PER YEAR GUARANTEED IN NWC GRANTS + SCHOLARSHIPS
