About Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University is a private, not-for-profit, four-year university with Christian-based values. Located on a 90-acre campus in the city of Nampa, Idaho, Northwest Nazarene first opened its doors in 1913 to elementary school students, and within two years, added high school and college programs. NNU is one of eight Church of the Nazarene-affiliated liberal arts colleges. Northwest Nazarene University’s mission is: “the transformation of the whole person. Centered in Jesus Christ, the NNU education instills habits of heart, soul, mind, and strength to enable each student to become God’s creative and redemptive agent in the world.”
The university supports a full range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. NNU Online, maintained by the College of Adult and Graduate Studies, gives students the option to earn online associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. NNU online degrees make this high-caliber, Christian education accessible to a wider spectrum of students. Grow as a person and a Christian regardless of how busy your schedule is as a working professional with Northwest Nazarene University’s online degree programs.
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Accreditation & Licensing
Northwest Nazarene University is accredited by:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Type:
4-year, Private not-for-profitHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Church of the NazareneGraduate Enrollment:
771Fully Online Graduate Students:
50%Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$23,750Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
94%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$22,842Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesNorthwest Nazarene University can move fast at the start when support is in place. In a doctoral path, the admissions team helped clear reference and financing issues. The student began in a very short time. That quick start can make the road to finishing feel easier.
Cost is a big part of the plan at NNU. The published total can look high, near $50,000. With aid, many students pay closer to $24,000. That gap can change monthly stress during school. Some students also report extra fees and fines, which can raise the total cost over time.
At Northwest Nazarene University, support often feels personal and direct. Staff are often very helpful when students need answers. When questions are clear, replies can come quickly. In one doctoral path, staff helped with references and financial steps, which helped the student start fast.
Support can feel different across offices and situations. Some students report less helpful or rude replies about fines. Even so, many students still find real guidance from staff and professors. The overall experience is caring, with strong help in many day-to-day needs.
Northwest Nazarene University’s online classes are easy to enter. The technology is easy to learn and use for all online programs. That lowers startup stress for working adults.
Online onboarding can also move fast. Admissions help has cleared reference and financial issues quickly. That helped one doctoral student start in an amazingly short timeframe. The school fits learners who want simple tools and a quicker start pace.
Northwest Nazarene University offers a personal class experience. Many classes are around 30 students or fewer. That size gives professors more room to know students. In strong sections, classes feel challenging and rigorous, with close guidance from faculty.
Teaching quality is not identical across every course. Some professors are praised for depth and care. Others know the material but do not teach it clearly. The best-fit experience comes when students land with instructors whose teaching style matches their pace and learning needs.
Northwest Nazarene University is a mixed school in real use. The best parts are clear. Classes are often around 30 or fewer. That helps students feel known.
The community tone is grounded and personal. Online learning gets solid marks for usability. The online technology is easy to use. Entry support can also be fast.
In one doctoral case, admissions solved reference and finance issues quickly. Cost is the biggest pressure point here. Price can feel high at sticker level. Net cost can land much lower after aid.
That gap drives very different outcomes. Teaching quality also varies by instructor.
Northwest Nazarene University is a mixed school in real use. The best parts are clear. Classes are often around 30 or fewer. That helps students feel known.
The community tone is grounded and personal. Online learning gets solid marks for usability. The online technology is easy to use. Entry support can also be fast.
In one doctoral case, admissions solved reference and finance issues quickly. Cost is the biggest pressure point here. Price can feel high at sticker level. Net cost can land much lower after aid.
That gap drives very different outcomes. Teaching quality also varies by instructor.
Online Programs offered by Northwest Nazarene University
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Frequently Asked Questions About Northwest Nazarene University
Is Northwest Nazarene University accredited?
Yes. Northwest Nazarene University is institutionally accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
How many online programs does Northwest Nazarene University offer?
Northwest Nazarene University offers 38 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Northwest Nazarene University offer?
Northwest Nazarene University offers programs from associate and bachelor's through master's and doctoral levels.
How should students contact admissions at Northwest Nazarene University?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Northwest Nazarene University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Northwest Nazarene University falls into GetEducated’s $$$ tuition tier, which points to a higher tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Northwest Nazarene University?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Northwest Nazarene University first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
What GPA do most Northwest Nazarene University programs require?
GPA requirements typically range from 2.5 to 3.5, and 3.0 appears most often.
Is Northwest Nazarene University military friendly?
Northwest Nazarene University shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from Northwest Nazarene University through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Northwest Nazarene University applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Recommendation/Reference Letter(s), Criminal Background Check, and Essay/Writing Sample. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Northwest Nazarene University accept life experience credit?
Northwest Nazarene University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Northwest Nazarene University programs fully online or mixed?
Northwest Nazarene University includes 100% Online and Mostly Online options, so students should check the format of their specific program before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Northwest Nazarene University offer?
Northwest Nazarene University has online program options in areas such as Education, Religion & Philosophy, Business, and Nursing; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any Northwest Nazarene University programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP); Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Are any admission tests required for Northwest Nazarene University programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is Proof of English Language Proficiency (International Students). Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Northwest Nazarene University?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any Northwest Nazarene University programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Northwest Nazarene University?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Northwest Nazarene University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Northwest Nazarene University programs?
Working adults should compare program format, pacing, total cost, and application requirements before choosing a path.
Featured Ranking Reports
Northwest Nazarene University is featured in 18 of our ranking reports!
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Geographic and Educational Overview
Northwest Nazarene University is located in Idaho
Idaho at a Glance:

Top Majors in Idaho:
Top Incentives in Idaho:
- Idaho Opportunity Scholarship: Up to $3,500 annually
Top Career Pathways in Idaho:
- Entry Level: IT Project Coordinator ($60,000)
- Mid Level: Technology Manager ($95,000)
- Senior Level: IT Director ($140,000+)
- Required Education: BS Information Technology
- Certifications: PMP, ITIL, Security+



















