North Seattle College
North Seattle College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
North Seattle College at a Glance
North Seattle College is a public college in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is one of three colleges comprising the Seattle Colleges District and part of the Washington Community and Technical Colleges system.
1970
56 years old
17,994
318
Identity
Is North Seattle College Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, North Seattle College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,728 — 11% below average — while paying $10,740/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 33% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at North Seattle College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How North Seattle College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #138 of 233 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #5 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #6 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #138 | North Seattle College | 36 | $10,740 | $47,728 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of North Seattle College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 27 in WA.
Best Programs at North Seattle College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for North Seattle College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,740/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Seattle, WA
- Student Body
- 3,074 students
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,740
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,728
- Median Student Debt
- $15,458