[6] From June 2020 to December 2021, the U.S. Department of Education placed Northwestern College on a Heightened Cash Monitoring Level 1 and Heightened Cash Monitoring Level 2 from March 2022 until its closure.
[1] On July 2, 2024, the Higher Learning Commission placed the college "On Notice" because it was at risk of being out of compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation, with a follow-up visit scheduled for no later that December 2025.
[8][9] Although college officials told students that they had secured transfer agreements with several local colleges and universities, students and local reporters quickly discovered that those officials had lied and there were no such agreements.
[13] The Associate in Applied Science Degree program in Nursing was approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation, Illinois State Board of Nursing.
When the college closed, this program was on probation due to low first-time pass rates of the National Council Licensure Examination.