Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Northwest College of Art & Design worth it?
Pay $16,418/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $31,167 ten years out — about 1.9× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Northwest College of Art & Design vs Washington avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Washington college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Northwest College of Art & Design | Washington avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $16,418 | $16,113 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $31,167 | $53,650 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $30,750 | $16,190 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 57.7% | 47.1% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 66% | 78.6% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $120,152 over four years. Most students get $13,620/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $30,750 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 99% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're below the recommended ceiling.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Northwest College of Art & Design grad earns about -$553,320 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Northwest College of Art & Design
The average student at Northwest College of Art & Design pays $16,418 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $30,038 published sticker price. That is above the WA average net price of $16,113.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $31,167 — below the WA median of $53,650. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $30,750, roughly $334 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a heavy load at about 99% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Washington colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Northwest College of Art & Design.
Bellingham, WA · Public Northwest Indian College A+ 
Tacoma, WA · Public University of Washington-Tacoma Campus A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Northwest College of Art & Design?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $16,418 per year. That's $13,620/yr in financial aid against the $30,038 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $65,672.
How much do Northwest College of Art & Design graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Northwest College of Art & Design graduates earn a median of $31,167 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 1.9× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Northwest College of Art & Design graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $30,750 — about $334/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 48% of students take federal loans.
Is Northwest College of Art & Design worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Northwest College of Art & Design a value grade of D — top 84% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $16,418/yr, earn $31,167/yr ten years out, ROI score of 4.75. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Northwest College of Art & Design?
50.7% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 48% take federal student loans. On average, students get $13,620 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Northwest College of Art & Design?
In-state tuition is $18,100 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $18,100 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Northwest College of Art & Design?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $12,977. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $29,101. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →