Private Nonprofit Bachelor's Strong 79/100

Great Northern University

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Spokane, Washington

About Great Northern University

Great Northern University is a private nonprofit institution offering bachelor's degrees based in Spokane, Washington. It enrolls 48 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Acceptance
100%
Graduation
Net Price
$21,029
Median Earnings (10yr)
Enrollment
48
Student : Faculty
3:1

Accreditor Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Strong
79/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes 82
Value
Affordability 41
Selectivity

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 100%, Great Northern University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.

Acceptance Rate
100%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
Test Policy Test Optional Applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Great Northern University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

100%202185.7%2022100%2023

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending Great Northern University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $21,029 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.

Average Net Price
$21,029
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
42%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
25%
Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees
$18,300
Room & Board (on-campus)
$8,694
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,694
Books & Supplies
$818
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,294
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,294
Total Cost of Attendance
$28,405

Application fee: $50 (one-time, due at submission)

What this means: Aid reaches a meaningful share of the student body: 42% of students receive Pell grants. If your family qualifies for Pell, the real cost to you could be substantially lower than the average.

Graduation Rate & Retention

91% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
91%
Returning for their second year
What this means: High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.

Who Studies Here

Great Northern University is home to 48 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 44% study part-time.

Total Enrolled
48
Part-Time
44%
First-Generation

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
White 89.6% 43
Hispanic 4.2% 2
Asian 2.1% 1
White: 89.6% (43 students)Hispanic: 4.2% (2 students)Asian: 2.1% (1 students)Total48

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Great Northern University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Midsize City Spokane, Washington
Housing
Strongly residential 44 beds for 48 students
Adult Learners
25% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semester scheduling structure

What You Can Study

Great Northern University offers a focused set of programs: 6 distinct programs across 6 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

1 Program
1 Program
1 Program

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at Great Northern University is 3:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).

Student : Faculty
3:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$466,675
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$32,670
9-month equivalent across all ranks

Pros & Cons of Great Northern University

A quick at-a-glance summary of how Great Northern University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS
  • Accessible admissions for most applicants
  • Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
  • Tight-knit, close community feel
  • Strong first-year retention
  • Wide reach of need-based federal aid
CONS
  • Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
  • No graduate programs offered at this institution
  • Narrow program catalog compared to mid-sized peers
Best for: Based on the data, Great Northern University is a fit for students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; working adults or students needing part-time study options; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about Great Northern University

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Great Northern University.

Is Great Northern University hard to get into?
Great Northern University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 100%.
What is the acceptance rate at Great Northern University?
Great Northern University has an acceptance rate of 100%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Great Northern University cost?
The average net price after aid at Great Northern University is $21,029 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Great Northern University known for?
Great Northern University is best known for its programs in Teaching ESL, Communication & Media, Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Great Northern University accredited?
Yes. Great Northern University is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
How many students attend Great Northern University?
Great Northern University enrolls 48 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
Is Great Northern University a public or private college?
Great Northern University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Great Northern University located?
Great Northern University is located in Spokane, Washington.
What programs does Great Northern University offer?
Great Northern University offers 6 distinct programs. The most popular include Teaching ESL, Communication & Media, Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Great Northern University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Great Northern University is 3:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

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