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.
AccreditorTransnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Academic CalendarSemester
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
Outcomes82
Value—
Affordability41
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 PolicyTest OptionalApplicants 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.
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
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 CitySpokane, Washington
Housing
Strongly residential44 beds for 48 students
Adult Learners
25%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling 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.
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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