Normandale Community College vs University of Northwestern-St Paul: which has better ROI?
Normandale Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $25,944 in 14 years versus 46.3 years at University of Northwestern-St Paul, on median earnings of $50,207 vs $50,755 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Normandale Community College | University of Northwestern-St Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,972 | $27,705 |
| Total net cost | $25,944 | $110,820 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,207 | $50,755 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $21,325 |
| Payback | 14 yrs | 46.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $10,996 | -$62,920 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Normandale Community College or University of Northwestern-St Paul?
Normandale Community College, at $12,972 a year after aid versus $27,705 — a gap of $14,733 a year, or $84,876 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Normandale 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, $548 more than the $50,207 at Normandale 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, Normandale Community College or University of Northwestern-St Paul?
Normandale 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 27% at Normandale 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.