Alexandria Technical & Community College vs Northwestern Health Sciences University: which has better ROI?
Alexandria Technical & Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $27,382 in 26.5 years versus 234.6 years at Northwestern Health Sciences University, on median earnings of $49,393 vs $48,666 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alexandria Technical & Community College | Northwestern Health Sciences University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,691 | $35,887 |
| Total net cost | $27,382 | $71,774 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,393 | $48,666 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $7,500 |
| Payback | 26.5 yrs | 234.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$6,722 | -$65,654 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alexandria Technical & Community College or Northwestern Health Sciences University?
Alexandria Technical & Community College, at $13,691 a year after aid versus $35,887 — a gap of $22,196 a year, or $44,392 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Alexandria Technical & Community College or Northwestern Health Sciences University graduates earn more?
Alexandria Technical & Community College graduates report a median $49,393 ten years after entry, $727 more than the $48,666 at Northwestern Health Sciences 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Alexandria Technical & Community College or Northwestern Health Sciences University?
Northwestern Health Sciences University: its completers carry a median $7,500 in federal loans versus $12,000 at Alexandria Technical & Community College, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at Alexandria Technical & Community College, against 0% at Northwestern Health Sciences University. 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.