D
Below Average
Score: 41/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
21/100 · earnings-weighted

Northwest College of Art & Design

4-Year Private For-Profit
📍 Tacoma, Washington 98402
ℹ️
Rating Context: This institution has fewer than 500 students. Smaller schools may show more rating variability due to limited data points.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 36%
Outcomes
C+
61/100
Affordability
D
38/100
Resources
F
25/100
Experience
B
65/100
Prestige
F
16/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

150
Total Enrollment
36%
Graduation Rate
78%
Retention Rate
29.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
76%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Northwest College of Art & Design, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$31,167
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$27,505
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$30,750
Median debt at graduation
57.7%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
50.7%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 99% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 1st percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (WA wage index 1.18). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Northwest College of Art & Design

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Design and Applied Arts$27,694$35,885-30%#283 of 299#287$30,734

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Northwest College of Art & Design Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $424,775
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,763/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 98404 (3.6% cap, Tacoma)

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $18,000 $18,000

Financial Aid

85%
Receive Any Aid
57%
Receive Pell Grants
54%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

150
Total Students
69%
Women
85%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 56%
Hispanic 16%
Black 7%
Asian 9%
Non-Resident 1%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 85%
25-64 (Adult) 15%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Northwest College of Art & Design?
Northwest College of Art & Design has an acceptance rate of 76%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Northwest College of Art & Design?
Tuition at Northwest College of Art & Design is $18,000 for in-state students and $18,000 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Northwest College of Art & Design?
The graduation rate at Northwest College of Art & Design is 36%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is Northwest College of Art & Design a good school?
Northwest College of Art & Design has a Repit College Score of 41/100 (Grade: D). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (D): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (F): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Northwest College of Art & Design?
Northwest College of Art & Design has a total enrollment of 150 students. Most students (85%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

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🎓 Similar Colleges to Northwest College of Art & Design

Compare with other 4-Year private for-profit institutions of similar size.

C+
Seattle Film Institute
Seattle, WA · 81 students
D
City University of Seattle
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D
The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
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D
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
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C
Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine
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C
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Yakima, WA · 649 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology