Northwest Technical College: $6,246 Tuition

$6,246Tuition

654Students

50%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$42,930Earnings

#19 in MinnesotaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Northwest Technical College

Northwest Technical College prepares students for immediate entry into the workforce through hands-on technical training. The school enrolls 654 students in a remote town setting in northern Minnesota. Students focus on career-ready skills in programs designed to meet regional employer needs. Women make up 71% of the student body, reflecting strong enrollment in healthcare and business programs. Nearly 97% of students come from Minnesota, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

The financial picture works in students' favor. After financial aid, students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $7,372 per year. Even middle-income families pay around $11,000 annually. Graduates carry a manageable $15,000 in median debt with monthly payments of $159. One year after graduation, median earnings hit $43,808, jumping to $53,771 after five years. The employment rate reaches an impressive 95.5%, demonstrating strong job placement success.

The school maintains an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention in technical coursework. Half of students graduate within six years, which reflects the practical, career-focused approach many students prefer. The college serves as a regional workforce development engine, connecting northern Minnesota students directly to local employers.

Academics & Faculty

Northwest Technical College focuses entirely on career-ready technical training that gets students into the workforce quickly. The school's 18:1 student-faculty ratio ensures hands-on instruction in programs like nursing, automotive technology, and natural resources management. With a 50% graduation rate, about half of students complete their programs within six years. The college serves as a regional workforce pipeline for northern Minnesota's industries, from healthcare to manufacturing. Students dive straight into practical skills rather than general education courses. The 95.5% employment rate shows employers value NTC graduates. Most programs can be completed in two years or less, making this an efficient path to middle-class careers in trades and technical fields.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 46.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 50.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $42,930

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$55,512
Construction Trades, General.	Certificate	$39,369
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$36,668
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Associate	$35,060
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Certificate	$30,771
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$29,685
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Certificate	$25,194
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.	Associate	$21,312

View all 50 programs →

Campus Life

Bemidji sits in northern Minnesota's lake country, about three hours from Minneapolis and two hours from Duluth. Students need serious winter gear for temperatures that regularly drop below zero from December through February. The campus serves a small community of 654 students in a town-remote setting where outdoor recreation defines the social scene.

Women make up 70.64% of the student body, reflecting the college's strong programs in healthcare and human services. Nearly 97% of students come from Minnesota, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means professors learn students' names quickly in hands-on lab settings. Weekends often involve ice fishing, snowmobiling, or hiking around Lake Bemidji depending on the season.

The technical focus means most students spend significant time in workshops and labs rather than lecture halls. With a 95.5% employment rate, students stay motivated knowing their welding, nursing, or automotive programs lead directly to jobs. The small enrollment creates an intimate atmosphere where study groups naturally form around shared career goals.

Setting: Town-Remote
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1965

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: -4°–16°F
July Avg: 57°–77°F
Annual Precipitation: 26.6"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Nearly all students come from Minnesota, reflecting Northwest Technical College's role as a regional workforce pipeline. Women make up about 70% of enrollment, likely drawn to the school's strong healthcare and human services programs that dominate many technical colleges. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families seeking practical career training. The student body is predominantly white but includes meaningful diversity for rural Minnesota. These are typically first-generation college students looking for direct paths to middle-class careers in their home communities.

Men: 29.4%
Women: 70.6%
White: 68.5%
Black: 9.9%
Hispanic: 3.7%
Asian: 1.1%
In-State Students: 96.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 33.0%

Location

Northwest Technical College sits in Bemidji, Minnesota, roughly 220 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The college draws 96.77% of its students from within Minnesota, reflecting its strong ties to the northern regions of the state. Bemidji sits on the shores of Lake Bemidji in a heavily forested area known for outdoor recreation and logging industries. The town of 15,000 residents revolves around the college and nearby Bemidji State University, creating a classic college town atmosphere in Minnesota's lake country. With 654 students enrolled, Northwest Technical maintains a close-knit campus feel in this remote northern setting surrounded by pine forests and countless lakes. Students considering colleges in Minnesota may also compare Northwest Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Bemidji, Minnesota 56601-4907

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $42,930
Median Earnings (5 years): $53,771
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $32,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 51.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $159/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $15,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission to Northwest Technical College?

Northwest Technical College maintains an open-access admission policy typical of community and technical colleges. The school serves 654 students with a focus on providing accessible career training to the northern Minnesota region. Most students can enroll if they meet basic program prerequisites.

What does Northwest Technical College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $12,941 annually at Northwest Technical College. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $7,372 after aid, while tuition remains affordable at $6,246 for both in-state and out-of-state students. About 33% of students receive Pell Grants to help cover costs.

What academic programs is Northwest Technical College known for?

Northwest Technical College specializes in career-focused technical education and workforce training programs. The school maintains an 18:1 student-faculty ratio to provide hands-on instruction in trades and technical fields. Classes follow a semester calendar system designed around practical skill development.

What job prospects do Northwest Technical College graduates have?

Graduates achieve a 95.5% employment rate, reflecting strong demand for skilled technical workers in the region. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $42,930, with recent graduates starting around $43,808. The school's focus on workforce training aligns well with regional employer needs.

Where is Northwest Technical College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Bemidji, Minnesota, a remote town setting that serves the broader northern Minnesota region. Nearly 97% of the 654 students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere. Women make up about 71% of enrollment, reflecting the college's strong programs in healthcare and other fields that attract female students.

How manageable is student debt at Northwest Technical College?

Graduates leave with a median debt of just $15,000, well below national averages for higher education. Monthly loan payments average $159, making debt service manageable on technical career salaries. The loan repayment rate of 51% reflects the financial pressures many graduates face despite relatively low debt loads.