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Anoka Technical College vs Northwest Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Anoka MN · vs · Public, Bemidji MN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anoka Technical College comes closer — median earnings $47,746 against a $67,812 total, vs $42,930 at Northwest Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAnoka Technical CollegeNorthwest Technical College
Net price / yr$16,953$10,996
Total net cost$67,812$43,984
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,746$42,930
Median debt$11,000$15,000
Payback
20-year net return-$80,092-$152,584

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Anoka Technical College or Northwest Technical College?

Northwest Technical College, at $10,996 a year after aid versus $16,953 — a gap of $5,957 a year, or $23,828 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Anoka Technical College or Northwest Technical College graduates earn more?

Anoka Technical College graduates report a median $47,746 ten years after entry, $4,816 more than the $42,930 at Northwest Technical 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, Anoka Technical College or Northwest Technical College?

Anoka Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $15,000 at Northwest Technical College, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Anoka Technical College, against 50% at Northwest Technical 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.

Anoka Technical College vs Northwest Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Anoka Technical College or Northwest Technical College a better value?
Anoka Technical College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Anoka Technical College or Northwest Technical College?
Northwest Technical College: $10,996/yr net price after aid versus $16,953/yr at Anoka Technical College — a difference of $5,957 a year, or about $23,828 over four years.
Do Anoka Technical College or Northwest Technical College graduates earn more?
Anoka Technical College graduates earn a median $47,746 ten years after entry, versus $42,930 at Northwest Technical College — a $4,816 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.