Northwest Tech vs. Salina Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Salina Area Technical College is larger than Northwest Tech based on total student enrollment (1,016 students vs. 752 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College is located in Goodland, KS (Remote Town setting); Salina Area Technical College is in Salina, KS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Salina Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College 12:1; Salina Area Technical College 8:1.

Northwest Tech vs. Salina Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Tech or Salina 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 Salina Area Technical College than Northwest Tech ($6,482 vs. $12,872).
• In-state tuition differs between Salina Area Technical College and Northwest Tech ($7,128.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Salina Tech and Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College ($7,128.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College than at Salina Area Technical College (79% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salina Area Technical College students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College students ($8,815 vs. $8,178).

Northwest Tech vs. Salina Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest Tech or Salina 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 Salina Tech and Northwest Tech.

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

Northwest Tech vs. Salina Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Tech and Salina 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 $3,500 more per year than Salina Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,200 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salina Area Technical College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Northwest Tech graduates ($5,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Salina Tech graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Tech graduates ($56 vs. $124).
• More Salina Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Tech students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.