College for Creative Studies vs Northwestern Technological Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College for Creative Studies comes closer — median earnings $44,860 against a $138,468 total, vs $41,237 at Northwestern Technological Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College for Creative Studies | Northwestern Technological Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,617 | $34,423 |
| Total net cost | $138,468 | $137,692 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,860 | $41,237 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$208,468 | -$280,152 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College for Creative Studies or Northwestern Technological Institute?
Northwestern Technological Institute, at $34,423 a year after aid versus $34,617 — a gap of $194 a year, or $776 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College for Creative Studies or Northwestern Technological Institute graduates earn more?
College for Creative Studies graduates report a median $44,860 ten years after entry, $3,623 more than the $41,237 at Northwestern Technological Institute. 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, College for Creative Studies or Northwestern Technological Institute?
Northwestern Technological Institute: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at College for Creative Studies, a difference of $16,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Northwestern Technological Institute, against 71% at College for Creative Studies. 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.