Independence Community College vs. Northwest Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Independence Community College in Independence, 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.

Independence Community College is larger than Northwest Tech based on total student enrollment (764 students vs. 752 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Independence Community College is located in Independence, KS (Remote Town setting); Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College is in Goodland, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Independence 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: Independence Community College 16:1; Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College 12:1.

Independence Community College vs. Northwest Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Independence 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 Independence Community College than Northwest Tech ($3,738 vs. $12,872).
• In-state tuition differs between Independence Community College and Northwest Tech ($4,740.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Independence Community College and Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College ($4,950.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Independence Community College than at Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College (90% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College students is 8.3% larger than aid received by Independence Community College students ($8,178 vs. $7,549).

Independence Community College vs. Northwest Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Independence 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 Independence Community College.

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

Independence Community College vs. Northwest Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Independence 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 $9,900 more per year than Independence Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,200 vs. $29,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Independence Community College graduates have a $6,803 lower median loan debt than Northwest Tech graduates ($5,197 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Independence Community College graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Tech graduates ($53 vs. $124).
• More Northwest Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Independence Community College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 37%)

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.