Northwest Indian College
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington- Graduation Rate
- 22% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $35,447 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $3,136 A+
- 82% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 629
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 70.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $70.0 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in Washington.
Every $1 spent returns $70.0 over 20 years. Net gain: $865,247.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 22% — 62% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $70.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Northwest Indian College
Northwest Indian College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Tribal College
- Enrollment
- 629
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education
Why students choose Northwest Indian College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $3,136 a year after grants and scholarships — 82% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $35,447 ten years after enrolling — 13% below the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.65 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
At Northwest Indian College, students seeking a diverse and supportive environment will find a home. With an enrollment of 629, this school caters particularly well to those interested in fields like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Education. It’s a space where community ties and cultural identity are valued, making it a good fit for Indigenous students and those looking to explore these important areas of study.
When it comes to life after graduation, the earnings reflect a practical outlook. Graduates typically earn around $35,447 within ten years of finishing their degrees. While the graduation rate stands at 22%, many students are finding their path and adapting to the workforce. Given that over half of the student body relies on Pell Grants, affordability is a key component in making education accessible for those who need it most.
Looking at the financials, the net price after aid is quite manageable at $3,136. This low cost can be a significant advantage, especially for those starting their career journey. Students who thrive here often appreciate the strong sense of community and the focus on culturally relevant education, which can empower them in their professional lives. This balance of support and affordability can set the stage for meaningful growth and development.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Northwest Indian College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwest Indian College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Bellingham, Washington, Northwest Indian College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
- Retention Rate
- 55%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 49%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,422
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.97
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwest Indian College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwest Indian College is $4,365, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $3,136. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,630 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,365
- Out-of-State
- $4,365
- Avg Net Price
- $3,136
- Pell Grant Rate
- 52%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $2,630
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $2,952
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $3,709
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Northwest Indian College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Northwest Indian College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwest Indian College report median earnings of $35,447, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $29,768
- 8 Years
- $31,797
- 10 Years
- $35,447
- Earning > $25K
- 39%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1)
- 5%
- 100% (1)
- 5%
- 100% (1)
- 5%
- 100% (1)
- 5%
How Northwest Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Northwest Indian College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northwest Indian College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $3,136/year ($12,544 total). Graduates earn $35,447 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $877,791 in total earnings — a net gain of $865,247 (70.0× your investment).. With a 22% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $12,544
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $877,791
- Net Return
- $865,247
- ROI Multiple
- 70.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $3,136
- Graduation Rate
- 22%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Northwest Indian College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 29%
- Business & Marketing 21% $46,551 early-career
- Health Professions 7%
- Education 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Northwest Indian College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwest Indian College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Bellingham, Washington, Northwest Indian College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwest Indian College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwest Indian College is $4,365, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $3,136. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,630 after need-based grants.
Is Northwest Indian College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwest Indian College report median earnings of $35,447, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Northwest Indian College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Northwest Indian College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.08). Around 23% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Northwest Indian College.
- Haskell Indian Nations UniversityLawrence, KS · Close peer31% grad $37,043 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bay Mills Community CollegeBrimley, MI · Close peer30% grad $30,048 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- Alpena Community CollegeAlpena, MI · Close peer51% grad $36,442 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Le Moyne-Owen CollegeMemphis, TN · Close peer26% grad $35,594 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Wiley UniversityMarshall, TX · Close peer22% grad $33,159 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Salish Kootenai CollegePablo, MT · Close peer32% grad $32,725 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northwest Indian College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Northwest Indian College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.08). Around 23% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note