Research.com
Northwest Nazarene University logo

Northwest Nazarene University

#1070 in US ranking Nampa, ID
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Northwest Nazarene University award
Northwest Nazarene University award

Cost

Cost / year
$56,861
Tuition & fees
$41,990
Avg. aid
$22,842
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
65%
SAT range
1005–1240
ACT range
22–27

Outcomes

Graduation rate
71%
Median salary
$47,051
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Northwest Nazarene University?

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) traces its origins to a school founded in Nampa, Idaho, in 1913. Its development from a small religious school into a university helps explain why Christian education remains part of its identity alongside a broad range of professional and liberal arts programs.

The institution later operated as Northwest Nazarene College and adopted the Northwest Nazarene University name after expanding its academic offerings. It remains affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Applicants researching older records may encounter the college name; it refers to the predecessor of today's Nampa-based university, not a separate institution.

What are the faculties and departments at Northwest Nazarene University?

Northwest Nazarene University offers undergraduate and graduate study across the arts and humanities, sciences, business, education, nursing, social sciences, and theology. Prospective students should compare programs by credential and delivery format: a campus-based bachelor's degree and an online graduate program can have different schedules, admission requirements, and costs.

Representative undergraduate fields include biology, business, communication, computer science, education, engineering, nursing, psychology, and social work. Graduate and professional offerings include programs in areas such as business, education, nursing, and ministry. Students considering teacher preparation, nursing, or another regulated profession should check the specific program's clinical or fieldwork requirements and the licensing rules in the state where they intend to practice.

NNU reports a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1. That institution-wide figure describes staffing relative to enrollment; it does not establish the size of a particular lecture, laboratory, or online class.

What is the location of Northwest Nazarene University?

Northwest Nazarene University's main campus is in Nampa, a city in southwestern Idaho's Treasure Valley, west of Boise. The setting offers access to a regional employment area while placing students in a smaller city rather than downtown Boise.

Boise Airport is the most relevant major airport for students traveling to the region. Commuters and students arranging internships should consider travel time across the Treasure Valley, especially if an opportunity is outside Nampa. First-year students may park a car on campus, although they should check current permit and parking rules before bringing one.

What is the mission and vision of Northwest Nazarene University?

Northwest Nazarene University identifies itself as a Christian university in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition of the Church of the Nazarene. Its stated educational purpose connects academic learning with character development, service, and spiritual formation.

That affiliation is relevant to campus life as well as to religion courses: chapel, ministry opportunities, and faith-based programming are part of the university experience. Applicants should review current expectations for their particular program, since participation requirements can differ between traditional undergraduates and students in graduate or online formats. The mission describes NNU's institutional aims; it is not, by itself, evidence of any individual student outcome.

Research.com Awards

Northwest Nazarene University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Northwest Nazarene University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

Suburb: Midsize

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

Religious affiliation

Protestant (Church of the Nazarene)

School type

University

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1913

Northwest Nazarene University Accreditation

Northwest Nazarene University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Northwest Nazarene University Programs and Degrees

iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - research/scholarship
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles