Northwestern College's published cost of attendance is $49,783. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $27,059, middle-income families pay around $20,572, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,539.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $49,783 |
| Tuition and Fees | $36,710 |
| Room and Board | $10,900 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,150 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$23,876 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $25,907 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $27,059 |
| $30–48k | $19,503 |
| $48–75k | $20,572 |
| $75–110k | $24,265 |
| $110k+ | $29,539 |
Northwestern College's published cost of attendance is $49,783. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $27,059, middle-income families pay around $20,572, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,539. Azimuth ranks Northwestern College #928 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Northwestern College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Financial aid savings relative to the published cost of attendance average approximately $23,876 across all aid recipients, reflecting the college's commitment to closing the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,249, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,312, median federal debt of $23,249 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Northwestern College earn median 4-year earnings of $55,312, placing the institution in the 30.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,336 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northwestern College in the 22.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Northwestern College #1004 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on education and teaching-adjacent fields, reflecting the institution's dominant program family. Teacher Education is the largest program with 49 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $47,640, performing at 1.0× the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field. The Kinesiology program graduates 28 students earning $51,829, and the The Business Administration program graduates 27 students earning $68,565. These programs anchor Northwestern College's economic profile, with outcomes reflecting the stable, in-demand nature of education and related professional pathways.
