Northwest University
#5 Best Nursing Colleges in Washington- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,914 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,288 D+
- 30% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.5 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Nursing Colleges in Washington.
Every $1 spent returns $13.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,116,796.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 35% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Northwest University Matters
Northwest University is a private university in Kirkland, WA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 645
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 27
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Communications
Why students choose Northwest University
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
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1040–1350. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,288 a year after grants and scholarships — 30% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,914 ten years after enrolling — 35% above the typical college, against $20,891 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 52% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.77 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 645 students, Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, is an intimate setting that caters to those looking for a close-knit community experience. It’s an appealing choice for students interested in fields like Health Professions, Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical studies, Psychology, and Education. The acceptance rate of 83% indicates that a diverse range of students can find a place here, making it accessible for many.
After graduation, students from Northwest University can expect to earn an average of $54,914 after ten years. This figure suggests a solid return on investment, especially when we consider its relatively affordable net price of $22,288. The graduation rate of 67% indicates that while some students may face challenges, many successfully earn their degrees, which can lead to upward mobility in their careers.
When it comes to financial realities, the median debt for graduates stands at $20,891, which is manageable considering the potential earnings. With 25% of students receiving Pell Grants, there are resources available to help make education more affordable. Those who thrive here are often those who appreciate a supportive environment and a focus on practical, hands-on learning in their chosen fields.
Rankings
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in Washington
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in Washington
- #12 Best Business Colleges in Washington
- #12 Best Biology Colleges in Washington
- #12 Best MBA Programs in Washington
- #13 Best Colleges in Washington
- #13 Best Bachelor's Programs in Washington
- #14 Best Education Colleges in Washington
Can I Get In?
How selective Northwest University 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 University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Northwest University, located in Kirkland, Washington, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1150
- ACT Midpoint
- 28
- SAT Range
- 1040–1350
- Full-Time Faculty
- 25%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,558
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 383
- Admitted
- 361
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 University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwest University is $36,035, 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 $22,288. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,996 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,891 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $36,035
- Out-of-State
- $36,035
- Avg Net Price
- $22,288
- Median Debt
- $20,891
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 55%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,996
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,384
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,840
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,570
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Northwest University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwest University earn a median of $54,914, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,495
- 8 Years
- $53,555
- 10 Years
- $54,914
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (104)
- 54%
- 100% (104)
- 54%
- 100% (104)
- 54%
- 100% (104)
- 54%
How Northwest Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Northwest University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northwest University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,288/year ($89,152 total). Graduates earn $54,914 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,205,948 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,116,796 (13.5× your investment). The median debt is $20,891, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $89,152
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,205,948
- Net Return
- $1,116,796
- ROI Multiple
- 13.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,288
- Median Debt
- $20,891
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Northwest University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northwest University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.43%, well above the typical college. About 5.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 26.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.43%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 26.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $80,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,894,000
- Investment Income
- $-886,000
Top Programs
The fields Northwest University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 20%
- Business & Marketing 15%
- Education 6%
- Communications 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Psychology 5%
- English & Literature 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Northwest University'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
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwest University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Northwest University, located in Kirkland, Washington, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwest University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwest University is $36,035, 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 $22,288. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,996 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,891 in federal student loans.
Is Northwest University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwest University earn a median of $54,914, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Northwest University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northwest University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.43%, well above the typical college. About 5.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 26.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Northwest University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Northwest University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Northwest University.
- Elmira CollegeElmira, NY · Close peer64% grad $57,550 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ripon CollegeRipon, WI · Close peer62% grad $54,902 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Thomas Aquinas CollegeSanta Paula, CA · Close peer83% grad $55,619 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Transylvania UniversityLexington, KY · Close peer71% grad $54,705 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Trinity Christian CollegePalos Heights, IL · Close peer61% grad $55,700 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Franklin CollegeFranklin, IN · Close peer62% grad $55,376 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northwest University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Northwest University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note