Northwestern College enrollment increases

Northwestern College’s freshman class set a school record for average ACT score with a 24.8 composite, well above the Iowa and national averages.

A record rate of freshman-to-sophomore retention has contributed to the increase, with 82 percent returning. “This unprecedented retention rate tells us we’re providing the high-quality Christian education students expect when they enroll at Northwestern,” says Mark Bloemendaal, dean of enrollment and marketing.

Northwestern has also set a record in the number of online students. Strong enrollment in the college’s new Master of Education programs has contributed to the record, along with good numbers in the RN-to-BSN program. “We’re pleased that Northwestern’s Graduate School and Adult Learning is enabling more students to benefit from the distinctives of a Northwestern education, regardless of their age, location and life stage,” says Bloemendaal.

The average ACT score of Northwestern’s freshman class also set a record, with a 24.8 composite, well above the Iowa average of 22.0 and the national average of 21.0. “We feel very good about the quality of our freshman class,” says Bloemendaal. “They come to Northwestern with strong academic credentials and have given us every indication they’ll thrive here and contribute positively to our Christian academic community.”