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2027 Rankings for Northwestern College

What ranking badges has NWC earned? Every College Factual accolade NWC has earned will be listed on this page.

NWC was awarded 22 ranking badges across College Factual’s 2027 rankings.

Top Rankings for NWC:

#1 out of 7	#2 out of 89	#2 out of 34	#2 out of 20

NWC also offers graduate programs. See its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/northwestern-college-iowa/rankings/) for its graduate rankings.

Ranking Highlights

• Quality Rankings
  • Best Colleges Ranking
  • Best General Special Education Schools in Iowa Ranking
  • Best Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in Iowa Ranking
• Best for the Money Rankings
  • Best Value Schools Ranking
  • Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in Iowa Ranking
  • Best Value History Education Schools in Iowa Ranking

How NWC Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

Top Placement in Best Colleges Ranking

#591 out of 5,159.

This makes NWC a top 15% school for students.

The Best Colleges Ranking highlights the highest-quality colleges in the country.

Top Ranked Majors

NWC has 141 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best General Special Education Schools in Iowa Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best General Special Education Schools in Iowa	1	4	View Report
Best Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in Iowa	1	1	View Report
Best Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in the Plains States Region	1	3	View Report
Best Special Education Schools in Iowa	1	7	View Report
Best General Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region	2	34	View Report
Best Other Special Education & Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region	2	5	View Report
Best Computer Teacher Education Schools	2	5	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in Iowa	2	14	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in the Plains States Region	2	89	View Report
Best Physician Assistant Schools in Iowa	2	4	View Report
Best Allied Health Professions Schools in Iowa	2	20	View Report
Best Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	3	19	View Report
Best Biology Studies Schools in Iowa	3	20	View Report
Best General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	3	19	View Report
Best General Biology Schools in Iowa	3	20	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	3	20	View Report
Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region	3	44	View Report
Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	3	4	View Report
Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Iowa	3	6	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Iowa	4	21	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	5	22	View Report
Best Business Administration & Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	5	23	View Report
Best Business, Management & Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	5	27	View Report
Best General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in Iowa	5	5	View Report
Best General Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	5	19	View Report
Best General Psychology Schools in Iowa	5	24	View Report
Best General Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	5	19	View Report
Best General Psychology Schools in Iowa	5	24	View Report
Best Business, Management & Marketing Schools in Iowa	6	42	View Report
Best Educational Administration Schools in Iowa	6	6	View Report
Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	6	23	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	6	23	View Report
Best Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	6	23	View Report
Best Physician Assistant Schools in the Plains States Region	6	23	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Schools in Iowa	7	38	View Report
Best Business Administration & Management Schools in Iowa	7	39	View Report
Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	7	21	View Report
Best Education Schools in Iowa	7	36	View Report
Best Elementary Education Schools in Iowa	8	31	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in Iowa	8	34	View Report
Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	8	19	View Report
Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	8	19	View Report
Best Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	8	22	View Report
Best Psychology Schools in Iowa	8	27	View Report
Best Other Special Education & Teaching Schools	9	39	View Report
Best Allied Health Professions Schools in the Plains States Region	9	119	View Report
Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Plains States Region	10	32	View Report
Best Health Professions Schools in Iowa	11	48	View Report
Best Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	12	18	View Report
Best Exercise Science Schools in Iowa	14	20	View Report
Best Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	15	106	View Report
Best Biology Studies Schools in the Plains States Region	15	118	View Report
Best General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	15	108	View Report
Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region	15	118	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	15	112	View Report
Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa	15	35	View Report
Best Nursing Schools in Iowa	15	35	View Report
Best Health Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	15	25	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	15	24	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	15	24	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region	19	127	View Report
Best Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools	19	84	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Schools in Iowa	19	28	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa	19	28	View Report
Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	20	93	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	22	108	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	27	127	View Report
Best General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Plains States Region	27	49	View Report
Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region	28	107	View Report
Best Business Administration & Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	29	133	View Report
Best Business, Management & Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	30	155	View Report
Best Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	30	123	View Report
Best General Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	31	117	View Report
Best General Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region	31	126	View Report
Best General Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	31	117	View Report
Best General Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region	31	126	View Report
Best Educational Administration Schools in the Plains States Region	33	61	View Report
Best General Business Administration and Management Schools in the Plains States Region	35	186	View Report
Best Business Administration & Management Schools in the Plains States Region	37	197	View Report
Best Business, Management & Marketing Schools in the Plains States Region	37	231	View Report
Best Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in the Plains States Region	37	140	View Report
Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region	38	183	View Report
Best Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	38	130	View Report
Best Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region	38	141	View Report
Best Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	51	71	View Report
Best Exercise Science Schools in the Plains States Region	55	74	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	71	110	View Report
Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	73	111	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	73	114	View Report
Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	76	114	View Report
Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region	80	121	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region	80	123	View Report
Best Health Professions Schools in the Plains States Region	81	298	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools	85	582	View Report
Best Physician Assistant Schools	86	273	View Report
Best General Special Education Schools	90	355	View Report
Best Health Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	101	144	View Report
Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region	106	203	View Report
Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region	110	207	View Report
Best Special Education Schools	112	501	View Report

How NWC Ranks for Value

Top Value Majors

NWC has 173 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in Iowa Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in Iowa	2	2	View Report
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in Iowa	4	5	View Report
Best Value History Education Schools in Iowa	4	6	View Report
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in Iowa	4	4	View Report
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in Iowa	4	4	View Report
Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Iowa	5	6	View Report
Best Value General Special Education Schools in Iowa	6	7	View Report
Best Value Special Education Schools in Iowa	6	7	View Report
Best Value Business Education Schools in Iowa	6	6	View Report
Best Value Early Childhood Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	6	6	View Report
Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in the Plains States Region	8	8	View Report
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in Iowa	8	9	View Report
Best Value Music Education Schools in Iowa	8	10	View Report
Best Value Other Special Education & Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region	9	10	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in Iowa	10	11	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in Iowa	12	14	View Report
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Iowa	13	13	View Report
Best Value Secondary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	13	16	View Report
Best Value Physics Education Schools in the Plains States Region	14	14	View Report
Best Value Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	16	19	View Report
Best Value General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	16	19	View Report
Best Value Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	16	18	View Report
Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	16	18	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	16	17	View Report
Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Iowa	17	20	View Report
Best Value General Biology Schools in Iowa	17	20	View Report
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	17	20	View Report
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Plains States Region	17	20	View Report
Best Value Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	17	19	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Schools in Iowa	17	18	View Report
Best Value General Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	17	19	View Report
Best Value General Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	17	19	View Report
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Iowa	18	21	View Report
Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in Iowa	18	19	View Report
Best Value Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	19	22	View Report
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	20	22	View Report
Best Value Business Education Schools in the Plains States Region	20	21	View Report
Best Value Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	20	23	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	20	23	View Report
Best Value Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	20	23	View Report
Best Value Health Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	20	24	View Report
Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Iowa	20	22	View Report
Best Value Business Administration & Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	21	23	View Report
Best Value Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	22	24	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	22	24	View Report
Best Value General Psychology Schools in Iowa	22	24	View Report
Best Value General Psychology Schools in Iowa	22	24	View Report
Best Value Social Studies Education Schools in the Plains States Region	23	26	View Report
Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Iowa	23	26	View Report
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa	24	27	View Report
Best Value History Education Schools in the Plains States Region	24	28	View Report
Best Value Psychology Schools in Iowa	24	27	View Report
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Iowa	26	28	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa	26	28	View Report
Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Iowa	31	34	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in Iowa	31	34	View Report
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa	32	34	View Report
Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa	32	34	View Report
Best Value Education Schools in Iowa	33	36	View Report
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Iowa	36	38	View Report
Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools in Iowa	37	39	View Report
Best Value Computer Teacher Education Schools	37	48	View Report
Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region	38	41	View Report
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in Iowa	39	42	View Report
Best Value Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region	41	44	View Report
Best Value Health Professions Schools in Iowa	41	45	View Report
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in the Plains States Region	44	52	View Report
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Plains States Region	46	56	View Report
Best Value Early Childhood Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	49	53	View Report
Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the Plains States Region	51	61	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in the Plains States Region	54	59	View Report
Best Value Secondary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	54	62	View Report
Best Value Business Education Schools	55	61	View Report
Best Value Music Education Schools in the Plains States Region	57	65	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	62	75	View Report
Best Value Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	65	79	View Report
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Plains States Region	68	72	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Plains States Region	68	81	View Report
Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Plains States Region	69	77	View Report
Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Plains States Region	69	83	View Report
Best Value Other Special Education & Teaching Schools	75	89	View Report
Best Value Physics Education Schools	77	95	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in the Plains States Region	80	89	View Report
Best Value Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	86	104	View Report
Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	87	105	View Report
Best Value Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	91	106	View Report
Best Value Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	92	108	View Report
Best Value General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	92	108	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	92	107	View Report
Best Value Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	92	110	View Report
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	95	112	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	96	114	View Report
Best Value General Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	96	115	View Report
Best Value General Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	96	115	View Report
Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Plains States Region	101	117	View Report
Best Value General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region	101	117	View Report
Best Value Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	103	122	View Report
Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in the Plains States Region	103	113	View Report
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region	103	121	View Report
Best Value Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region	104	128	View Report

More About the Rankings

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Notes and References

The rankings above are built on federal education data, 2027 edition.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.