At $32,474/yr net price, North-West College-Long Beach graduates earn $39,876/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,876/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $32,474 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $129,896 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,876/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,876/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 22.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $32,031/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $32,567/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $33,365/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,540/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,074/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $34,625 | $18,482 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $29,478 | $19,511 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $24,366 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $21,789 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
58.5% of students at North-West College-Long Beach graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
North-West College-Long Beach delivers weak financial returns that make it difficult to justify the $32,474 annual cost. With median earnings of $39,876 after graduation, you'll struggle to recover your investment in a reasonable timeframe.
The nursing program offers the strongest earning potential at $34,625 annually, but even this comes with $18,482 in debt and earnings that barely exceed what many entry-level positions pay without specialized training. The allied health diagnostic program pays $29,478 but saddles you with $19,511 in debt. Medical administrative services and medical assisting programs produce particularly poor returns, with graduates earning just $24,366 and $21,789 respectively.
Your biggest financial risk is the low 58.5% graduation rate combined with the high cost. If you don't complete your program, you'll carry debt without the credential needed to access higher-paying healthcare jobs. The for-profit structure means tuition often exceeds what you'd pay at community colleges for similar programs.
This school only makes financial sense if you need the specific vocational training it offers and cannot access similar programs elsewhere at lower cost. California community colleges typically offer comparable healthcare programs at fraction of the price. You should exhaust all community college options before considering North-West College.
With 60% of students receiving aid, financial assistance is common but may not be enough to offset the poor return on investment. The relatively low median debt of $9,500 for most programs helps, but the weak earning potential still makes repayment challenging given typical living costs in the Long Beach area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North-West College-Long Beach worth the cost?
With a net price of $32,474 per year and median earnings of $39,876 after graduation, the return on investment is weak compared to most colleges. The low graduation rate of 58.5% adds significant risk to your investment.
What programs at North-West College-Long Beach have the best job prospects?
Practical Nursing offers the highest earning potential at $34,625 annually, though this is still below the national average for nursing programs. Allied Health programs earn significantly less, with some graduates making only $21,789 per year.
How much debt do North-West College-Long Beach graduates typically have?
The median debt is relatively low at $9,500, which helps offset the school's poor earning outcomes. However, nearly half of students don't graduate, meaning many leave with debt but no degree.
Does North-West College-Long Beach provide good financial aid?
Despite financial aid, students still pay over $32,000 annually on average. Given the low post-graduation earnings and high dropout rate, the financial aid doesn't make this school a strong value proposition.