Northwest Indian College campus
Northwest Indian College logo

Northwest Indian College

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale Rural: Fringe
Degrees offered Undergraduate
Calendar system Quarter
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 82
Student to faculty ratio 11 to 1
Students retention rate 46%
On-time graduation rate 19%

Located in Bellingham, Washington, Northwest Indian College is a public, institution that offers undergraduate degrees. Northwest Indian College operates on a quarter-based calendar system, dividing the academic year into four terms.

One of the notable aspects of Northwest Indian College is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

Northwest Indian College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1, Northwest Indian College emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

While the on-time graduation rate at Northwest Indian College is reported to be 19%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Washington state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 41% whereas the national average was 49%.

The retention rate of students at Northwest Indian College is 46% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in Washington is 74%, while the national average is 72%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at Northwest Indian College do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Tribal institution
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

In-State Tuition & Fees

$3,969

Cost of attendance at Northwest Indian College in 2022 for students from Washington.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Washington's average $5,771
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$3,969

Cost of attendance at Northwest Indian College in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Washington's average $11,857
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 19 of freshman students at Northwest Indian College received on average $8,254 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$8,254
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 12 19% $4,460 $53,524
Other Federal Grant 12 19% $4,794 $57,524
State Grant/Scholarships 5 8% $4,839 $24,196
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 12 19% $1,444 $17,328
Total Grant & Scholarships 12 19% $8,254 $99,048

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Northwest Indian College students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Northwest Indian College students is 18.8%. Female students graduated at a rate of 20.8%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 14.8%.

18.8%

Service Offerings

Northwest Indian College provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Academic/career counseling services

Educational Offerings

Northwest Indian College offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational
  • Postbaccalaureate Recreational or avocational education
  • Adult basic remedial or high school equivalent

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes

Veteran Services

  • Credit for military training