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Perry Technical Institute vs Northwest University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Yakima WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Kirkland WA

The verdict

Perry Technical Institute has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,188 in 8.5 years versus 13.6 years at Northwest University, on median earnings of $57,764 vs $54,914 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePerry Technical InstituteNorthwest University
Net price / yr$20,047$22,288
Total net cost$80,188$89,152
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,764$54,914
Median debt$14,139$20,891
Payback8.5 yrs13.6 yrs
20-year net return$107,892$41,928

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

Which is cheaper, Perry Technical Institute or Northwest University?

Perry Technical Institute, at $20,047 a year after aid versus $22,288 — a gap of $2,241 a year, or $8,964 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Perry Technical Institute or Northwest University graduates earn more?

Perry Technical Institute graduates report a median $57,764 ten years after entry, $2,850 more than the $54,914 at Northwest University. 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, Perry Technical Institute or Northwest University?

Perry Technical Institute: its completers carry a median $14,139 in federal loans versus $20,891 at Northwest University, a difference of $6,752. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at Perry Technical Institute, against 71% at Northwest University. 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.

Perry Technical Institute vs Northwest University: frequently asked questions

Is Perry Technical Institute or Northwest University a better value?
Perry Technical Institute. It clears its $80,188 net cost in about 8.5 years versus 13.6 years at Northwest University, on median earnings of $57,764 vs $54,914 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Perry Technical Institute or Northwest University?
Perry Technical Institute: $20,047/yr net price after aid versus $22,288/yr at Northwest University — a difference of $2,241 a year, or about $8,964 over four years.
Do Perry Technical Institute or Northwest University graduates earn more?
Perry Technical Institute graduates earn a median $57,764 ten years after entry, versus $54,914 at Northwest University — a $2,850 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.