Published cost of attendance is $49,783. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $27,059, middle-income families pay around $20,572, higher-income families pay approximately $29,539.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
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 |
Published cost of attendance is $49,783. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $27,059, middle-income families pay around $20,572, higher-income families pay approximately $29,539. Azimuth ranks Northwestern College #928 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 34.9 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,249; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,000. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,312, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
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.
