Northwest Indian College is a public institution offering bachelor's degrees based in Bellingham, Washington. It enrolls 629 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Academic CalendarQuarter
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
72/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes22
Value96
Affordability82
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Northwest Indian College.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Northwest Indian College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $3,136 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$3,136
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
52%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
0%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$4,365
Room & Board (on-campus)
$5,500
Room & Board (off-campus)
$17,952
Books & Supplies
$1,032
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,462
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,735
Total Cost of Attendance
$10,551
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$2,630
$30,001 – $48,000
$2,952
$48,001 – $75,000
$3,709
$75,001 – $110,000
$8,610
What this means:
Aid reaches a meaningful share of the student body: 52% of students receive Pell grants. If your family qualifies for Pell, the real cost to you could be substantially lower than the average.
Graduation Rate & Retention
21% of full-time students who enrolled at Northwest Indian College graduate within six years, and 54% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
21%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
54%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Northwest Indian College earn a median of $35,447 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$35,447
Earning > $25K
59%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
What this means:
Strong return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$11.3 of median earnings 10 years out.
Who Studies Here
Northwest Indian College is home to 629 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 47% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
629
Part-Time
30%
First-Generation
47%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Other 86.0%541
Hispanic 10.8%68
White 2.5%16
Black 0.3%2
Asian 0.2%1
International 0.2%1
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Northwest Indian College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize SuburbBellingham, Washington
Housing
Limited on-campus housing86 beds
Adult Learners
68%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Quarterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Northwest Indian College offers
a focused set of programs:
9 distinct programs across
7 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Northwest Indian College is 11:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
11:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$10,064
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Avg Faculty Salary
$50,338
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
27 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
No Rank
27
100%
$50,338
Pros & Cons of Northwest Indian College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Northwest Indian College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Very affordable net price after aid
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
No graduate programs offered at this institution
Best for:
Based on the data, Northwest Indian College is a fit for
families focused on keeping net cost low; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Northwest Indian College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Northwest Indian College.
How much does Northwest Indian College cost?
The average net price after aid at Northwest Indian College is $3,136 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Northwest Indian College worth it?
Strong return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $35,447 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $3,136 per year. That's roughly 11.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Northwest Indian College known for?
Northwest Indian College is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Natural Resources Conservation and Research. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Northwest Indian College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Northwest Indian College are $35,447, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Northwest Indian College accredited?
Yes. Northwest Indian College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
How many students attend Northwest Indian College?
Northwest Indian College enrolls 629 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Northwest Indian College?
Northwest Indian College graduates 21% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Northwest Indian College a public or private college?
Northwest Indian College is a Public institution.
Where is Northwest Indian College located?
Northwest Indian College is located in Bellingham, Washington.
What programs does Northwest Indian College offer?
Northwest Indian College offers 9 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Northwest Indian College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Northwest Indian College is 11:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Washington
Other colleges in Washington share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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