Alexandria Technical & Community College vs University of Northwestern-St Paul: 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 46.3 years at University of Northwestern-St Paul, on median earnings of $49,393 vs $50,755 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alexandria Technical & Community College | University of Northwestern-St Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,691 | $27,705 |
| Total net cost | $27,382 | $110,820 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,393 | $50,755 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $21,325 |
| Payback | 26.5 yrs | 46.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$6,722 | -$62,920 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alexandria Technical & Community College or University of Northwestern-St Paul?
Alexandria Technical & Community College, at $13,691 a year after aid versus $27,705 — a gap of $14,014 a year, or $83,438 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates earn more?
University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates report a median $50,755 ten years after entry, $1,362 more than the $49,393 at Alexandria Technical & Community College. 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul?
Alexandria Technical & Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $21,325 at University of Northwestern-St Paul, a difference of $9,325. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at University of Northwestern-St Paul, against 60% at Alexandria Technical & Community College. 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.