Head-to-head comparison
Heritage University vs Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education: which has better ROI?
Option A Toppenish, WA
Heritage University
- Net price / year
- $14,598
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,416
- Payback
- 55.3 yrs
Option B Kirkland, WA
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
- Net price / year
- $35,671
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,914
- Payback
- 21.8 yrs
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $142,684 in 21.8 years versus 55.3 years at Heritage University, on median earnings of $54,914 vs $49,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Heritage University | Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,598 | $35,671 |
| Total net cost | $58,392 | $142,684 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,416 | $54,914 |
| Median debt | $14,573 | $20,891 |
| Payback | 55.3 yrs | 21.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$37,272 | -$11,604 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Heritage University or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education?
Heritage University, at $14,598 a year after aid versus $35,671 — a gap of $21,073 a year, or $84,292 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Heritage University or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education graduates earn more?
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education graduates report a median $54,914 ten years after entry, $5,498 more than the $49,416 at Heritage University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Heritage University or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education?
Heritage University: its completers carry a median $14,573 in federal loans versus $20,891 at Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education, a difference of $6,318. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Heritage University, against 50% at Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.