Northwest University
Northwest University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northwest University at a Glance
Northwest University is a private Christian university in Kirkland, Washington, United States. The university offers associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees through its College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business and Management, School of Education, Mark and Huldah Buntain School of Nursing, College of Ministry, and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. It has a satellite campus in Salem, Oregon.
1934
92 years old
$9M
$9.37 million (2025)
1,561
630 undergrad · 494 grad
56 acres
Identity
Is Northwest University Worth It?
Northwest University offers moderate value at $22,288/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,914, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Northwest University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #17 of 76 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #5 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #17 | Northwest University | 42 | $22,288 | $54,914 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Northwest University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in WA.
Best Programs at Northwest University
The highest-earning program at Northwest University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $30,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Northwest University earns $67,800, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $30,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $23,725 in median debt vs. $24,906 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,288/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
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,800 | $67,800 | $23,725 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,200 | $48,200 | $20,779 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,600 | $42,600 | N/A |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $34,800 | $34,800 | $21,000 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | $32,500 | $32,500 | $24,188 |
| Psychology, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $24,906 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Kirkland, WA
- Student Body
- 645 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,288
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,914
- Median Student Debt
- $20,891