At $20,185/yr net price, Northwest College of Art & Design graduates earn $31,167/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,185 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,740 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $31,167/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-2,833/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $30,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,817/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,795/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,306/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,021/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,127/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $23,579 | $30,734 |
The Risk Factor
36.4% of students at Northwest College of Art & Design graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The numbers at Northwest College of Art & Design don't work. You would leave with median debt of $30,750 and earn about $31,167 ten years out , a debt load nearly equal to a full year of pay. That ratio is a problem no matter how you frame it. This is a for-profit art school where the only bachelor's program with reported earnings, Design and Applied Arts, pays even less: around $23,579 a year, below the school-wide median, while carrying almost the same debt. So the one degree with data attached pays the worst.
The regional context makes this harder. Tacoma sits next to Seattle, one of the most expensive metro areas in the country, and a design salary in the low twenties does not stretch far there. You would be paying big-city rent on entry-level creative wages.
Graduation is a real risk here. Only 36 percent finish, so there's a meaningful chance you take on debt and leave without the credential. Even the 78 percent retention rate means roughly one in five first-years doesn't come back for a second year.
The net price tiers do offer some cushion at the bottom. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $14,817 a year instead of the sticker $20,185. But if you're above $75k, your price jumps to roughly $29,000 , and the earnings on the other end don't justify that spend.
This school is a poor financial fit for almost anyone borrowing to attend. If you're paying largely out of pocket at the lowest income tier, have outside funding, or are certain you'll finish and build a design career without leaning on the degree's earnings, it may be tolerable. Otherwise, look at cheaper public art programs where the debt-to-earnings math isn't stacked against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwest College of Art & Design worth the cost?
The numbers suggest it's risky. Graduates earn a median of $31,167 ten years after enrollment while carrying $30,750 in debt, creating a challenging financial situation for most students.
What is the ROI for Northwest College of Art & Design graduates?
The ROI is poor compared to most colleges. With annual net costs around $20,185 and post-graduation earnings of $31,167, students face years of financial strain to break even on their investment.
Do Northwest College of Art & Design programs lead to good-paying jobs?
Design and Applied Arts graduates earn around $23,579 annually, which is below the national average. The low graduation rate of 36% also indicates many students don't complete their programs.
How much student debt do Northwest College of Art & Design graduates have?
The median debt is $30,750, which represents nearly a full year's salary given typical graduate earnings. This debt-to-income ratio makes loan repayment difficult for most graduates.