At $25,161/yr net price, Northwest University graduates earn $54,914/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,914/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,161 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $100,644 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,914/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,914/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,891 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,935/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,418/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,757/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,518/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,535/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $77,715 | $29,436 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $22,767 |
| Education, General. | Master | $55,964 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $53,775 | $20,833 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $44,971 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $44,170 | $22,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $41,789 | $41,000 |
| International/Global Studies. | Master | $41,565 | $29,751 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $39,369 | |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $39,049 |
The Risk Factor
63.5% of students at Northwest University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Northwest University gives you a mixed financial return. Median earnings ten years out sit below what you'd want from a private school charging over $25,000 a year in net price, and the gap between programs is wide enough that your major decides whether the price makes sense.
Nursing is the one degree that clearly pays for itself here. Graduates out-earn every other program by a large margin, and the debt load runs close to the school-wide median, so you're not borrowing more to get the better outcome. Business Administration lands in the middle and roughly tracks the school's overall earnings. Everything else on the list,Marketing, Teacher Education, Public Relations,leaves you earning in the low-to-mid $40,000s or below. Teacher Education is the riskiest combination: near-average debt paired with sub-$45,000 pay.
The financial risk here is retention. Roughly a quarter of freshmen don't return for a second year, and the 63.5% graduation rate means you have a real chance of taking on debt without finishing. Debt only pays off with a degree, and here that degree is not guaranteed.
The net price tiers work in your favor if your family earns under $48,000, where you pay around $15,000 a year,well below sticker. Above $110,000 you're paying over $31,000, and at that price the school only makes financial sense if you're going into nursing.
This school fits you if you're set on nursing, or if you qualify for the lower income tiers and want a smaller private school. If you're aiming at a communications or education major and paying the upper-income net price, the numbers argue for a cheaper public option instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwest University worth the cost?
Northwest University's value depends heavily on your program choice. Business and nursing graduates earn $70,000+ within 10 years, making the $25,161 annual cost reasonable, but education and marketing majors face weaker returns with higher debt risk.
What is the ROI for Northwest University graduates?
Northwest University graduates earn a median of $54,914 ten years after graduation with typical debt of $20,891. The ROI varies significantly by major, with business administration and nursing offering the strongest financial returns.
How much debt do Northwest University students graduate with?
Northwest University students graduate with a median debt of $20,891, which is manageable for high-earning programs like nursing and business but concerning for lower-paying fields like education where starting salaries barely cover loan payments.
Which Northwest University programs have the best job prospects?
Business administration and nursing programs at Northwest University offer the strongest job prospects, with graduates earning $69,000-$77,000 within 10 years. Education and marketing programs show significantly lower earning potential relative to the cost of attendance.