Bates Technical College vs Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education: which has better ROI?
Bates Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $25,168 in 14.9 years versus 21.8 years at Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education, on median earnings of $50,051 vs $54,914 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bates Technical College | Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,292 | $35,671 |
| Total net cost | $25,168 | $142,684 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,051 | $54,914 |
| Median debt | — | $20,891 |
| Payback | 14.9 yrs | 21.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $8,652 | -$11,604 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bates Technical College or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education?
Bates Technical College, at $6,292 a year after aid versus $35,671 — a gap of $29,379 a year, or $117,516 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bates Technical College or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education graduates earn more?
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education graduates report a median $54,914 ten years after entry, $4,863 more than the $50,051 at Bates 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 graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education, against 43% at Bates 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.