Lake Washington Institute of Technology vs Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education: which has better ROI?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $27,268 in 11.8 years versus 21.8 years at Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education, on median earnings of $50,669 vs $54,914 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,817 | $35,671 |
| Total net cost | $27,268 | $142,684 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,669 | $54,914 |
| Median debt | $15,047 | $20,891 |
| Payback | 11.8 yrs | 21.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $18,912 | -$11,604 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology, at $6,817 a year after aid versus $35,671 — a gap of $28,854 a year, or $115,416 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lake Washington Institute of Technology 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, $4,245 more than the $50,669 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. 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, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $15,047 in federal loans versus $20,891 at Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education, a difference of $5,844. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education, against 37% at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. 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.