Colby Community College vs. Northwest Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby Community College in Colby, KS with Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby Community College is larger than Northwest Tech based on total student enrollment (1,409 students vs. 752 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby Community College is located in Colby, KS (Remote Town setting); Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College is in Goodland, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Colby Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby Community College 18:1; Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College 12:1.

Colby Community College vs. Northwest Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby Community College or Northwest Tech? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colby Community College than Northwest Tech ($9,230 vs. $12,872).
• In-state tuition differs between Colby Community College and Northwest Tech ($4,290.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Colby Community College and Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College ($5,830.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College than at Colby Community College (79% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College students is 22.1% larger than aid received by Colby Community College students ($8,178 vs. $6,700).

Colby Community College vs. Northwest Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby Community College or Northwest Tech? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northwest Tech and Colby Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby Community College - Open admission; Northwest Tech - Open admission.

Colby Community College vs. Northwest Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby Community College and Northwest Tech? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Colby Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,200 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby Community College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Northwest Tech graduates ($6,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby Community College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Tech graduates ($67 vs. $124).
• More Colby Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Tech students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.