At $12,941/yr net price, Northwest Technical College graduates earn $42,930/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,930/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,941 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $51,764 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,930/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,930/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,372/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,398/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,799/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,300/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,264/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $55,512 | $16,637 |
| 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 |
The Risk Factor
50.0% of students at Northwest Technical College 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
Northwest Technical College gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right program, and a mediocre one if you don't. The median debt of $15,000 stays below the median 10-year earnings, which keeps repayment manageable for most graduates. But the median earnings figure hides a wide split between programs, and that split is where your decision matters.
Nursing is the clear winner here. The associate nursing program pays graduates well above what any other program at this school produces, and the debt load that comes with it is only marginally higher than the school median. If you can get into and finish nursing, the math works strongly in your favor. Bemidji and the surrounding region need nurses, so the earnings hold up locally.
The vehicle maintenance programs sit at the bottom. Whether you take the associate or the certificate route, expected earnings barely clear the low-cost tiers of your investment, and the certificate pays even less than the associate. Business support services land in the same weak range. These programs cost you real money and years, and the earnings payoff is thin. The construction certificate does better than the auto tracks and is worth a look if the trades interest you.
The 50% graduation rate is the biggest risk. Half of enrolled students don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, you get the cost without the earnings.
Net price scales hard with income. If your family earns under $30k, you pay roughly $7,400 a year. over $110k pushes past $17,000. Lower-income families get a genuinely affordable path here, especially into nursing. Higher-income families paying full freight should weigh whether the non-nursing programs justify the price.
This school fits you if you want nursing or the trades and plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to the auto or business tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwest Technical College worth the money?
Northwest Technical College offers decent value with a net price of $12,941 annually and median debt of only $15,000. However, the 50% graduation rate means half of students don't finish their programs, which significantly increases the risk of taking on debt without completing credentials.
What are the highest paying programs at Northwest Technical College?
Nursing programs at Northwest Technical College lead to the strongest earnings at $55,512 annually, while construction trades graduates earn around $39,369. Vehicle maintenance programs show lower returns at $30,771 to $35,060, which may not justify the cost for some students.
How much debt do Northwest Technical College graduates have?
Northwest Technical College graduates carry a median debt of $15,000, which is relatively manageable compared to four-year schools. With average earnings of $42,930 ten years after enrollment, most graduates can handle this debt load if they complete their programs.
What is the job outlook for Northwest Technical College graduates?
Northwest Technical College graduates earn an average of $42,930 annually ten years after enrollment, with nursing graduates significantly outperforming this average. The school's focus on technical trades aligns with local job demand, but the 50% graduation rate indicates completion challenges that prospective students should consider.