NCA vs. American University of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest College of Art & Design in Tacoma, WA with American University of Health Sciences in Signal Hill, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University of Health Sciences is larger than NCA based on total student enrollment (473 students vs. 139 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest College of Art & Design is located in Tacoma, WA (Rural Fringe setting); American University of Health Sciences is in Signal Hill, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northwest College of Art & Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. American University of Health Sciences is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest College of Art & Design 34:1; American University of Health Sciences 16:1.

NCA vs. American University of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NCA or American University of Health Sciences? 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 Northwest College of Art & Design than American University of Health Sciences ($14,818 vs. $26,480).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest College of Art & Design are 21.6% lower than at American University of Health Sciences ($15,384 vs. $19,632).
• American University of Health Sciences is 35.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NCA (about $6,475 more per year; $24,575.00 vs. $18,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at American University of Health Sciences than at Northwest College of Art & Design (about $6,475 more per year; $24,575.00 vs. $18,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University of Health Sciences than at Northwest College of Art & Design (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University of Health Sciences students is 36.9% larger than aid received by Northwest College of Art & Design students ($19,723 vs. $14,406).

NCA vs. American University of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NCA or American University of Health Sciences? 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 American University of Health Sciences and NCA.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NCA - Test-free; American University of Health Sciences - Test-free.
• NCA has a higher acceptance rate (66%) than American University of Health Sciences (50%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.6% at NCA vs. 100% at American University of Health Sciences.

NCA vs. American University of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NCA and American University of Health Sciences? 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 American University of Health Sciences earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than NCA graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest College of Art & Design graduates have a $6,290 lower median loan debt than American University of Health Sciences graduates ($31,000 vs. $37,290).
• Among borrowers, NCA graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than American University of Health Sciences graduates ($320 vs. $385).
• More American University of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCA students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 47%)

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.