Head-to-head comparison
Northwest University vs Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education: which has better ROI?
Option A Kirkland, WA
Northwest University
- Net price / year
- $22,288
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,914
- Payback
- 13.6 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 has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,152 in 13.6 years versus 21.8 years at Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education, on median earnings of $54,914 vs $54,914 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northwest University | Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,288 | $35,671 |
| Total net cost | $89,152 | $142,684 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,914 | $54,914 |
| Median debt | $20,891 | $20,891 |
| Payback | 13.6 yrs | 21.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $41,928 | -$11,604 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Northwest University or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education?
Northwest University, at $22,288 a year after aid versus $35,671 — a gap of $13,383 a year, or $53,532 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 Northwest University or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education graduates earn more?
Graduates of both report a median $54,914 ten years after entry, so earnings do not separate them either — the ROI difference comes entirely from what each degree costs. Figures are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, not programme-level pay.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Northwest University or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education?
Completers at both borrow a median $20,891, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Northwest 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.