What Is It Known For?
Northwest Technical College started as the Bemidji Area Vocational Institute back in 1965. Since then, this northern Minnesota school has grown into a solid choice for career training in the region. Today, over 1,100 students study here each year across 38 different fields of study.
The college focuses on getting you ready for jobs that employers need, covering areas like automotive, business, health and human services, and industrial technology. For more than 50 years, they’ve been helping students build successful careers in high-demand fields.
Degrees & Certifications
Northwest Technical College offers certificates, diplomas, and degree programs that prepare you for jobs in northern Minnesota and beyond. The school groups its programs into six main career paths: Automotive service, cosmetology, business, building systems, early childhood education, and healthcare.
Here, you can study programs like:
- Dental Assisting
- Electrical Construction & Maintenance
- Community Health Worker
- Accounting
- Health Care Administrative Leadership
- Nail Technology
- Plumbing Technology
- And Much More!
Class Schedules
Northwest Technical College gives you options with online and hybrid classes to fit your schedule. Healthcare programs include externships and internships that give you real-world experience before you graduate.
While the school offers adult programs that might include evening options, you should contact them directly to get clear information about specific class times and scheduling for your program of interest.
Is It a Good School?
Yes, Northwest Technical College is a legitimate institution. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Acceptance Rate
Northwest Technical College follows an open admission policy, which means they have a 100% acceptance rate. If you meet their basic requirements, you can get in and start your career training when you’re ready.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Northwest Technical College charges tuition per credit hour, with rates set each year by the Minnesota State board. For 2024-25, tuition ranges from about $196.55 to $213.30 per credit for both Minnesota residents and out-of-state students, depending on which program you pick.
Keep in mind that individual programs may have additional costs for materials, tools, or lab fees. For this reason, the school offers a net price calculator to help you figure out your total expenses and see what financial aid you might qualify for.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Human Resources
- Management & Entrepreneurship
- Sales & Marketing
Healthcare
- Dental Assisting
- Health Sciences
- Health Care Administrative
- Medical Coding
- Nursing – LPN
- Nursing – Traditional RN
- Practical Nursing
Professional Services
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
Skilled Trades
- Automotive Service
- Electrical Construction & Maintenance
- Heating, Air & Refrigeration Technology
- Plumbing Technology
Campus Locations
Bemidji 905 Grant Avenue SE Bemidji, MN 56601
Reviews
Overall Score: 3.8/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Faculty and Supportive Atmosphere: The staff and faculty are consistently described in recent reviews as “amazing,” “incredible,” and creating a supportive environment where students feel “welcome and encouraged in an academic setting.” Instructors are noted as being “great” and attentive.
High-Quality Nursing Program: The Nursing program is frequently singled out for excellence, with one reviewer calling the experience “fantastic.”
Improved Student Focus and Small Class Size: Several reviewers commented on positive changes in the last few years, noting the college is “way more focused on students now than before,” with generally smaller class sizes being a significant benefit.
Helpful Ancillary Staff: Customer service from the support staff, such as those working in the bookstore, is specifically highlighted by reviewers for being friendly and going “above and beyond” to assist students.
Value and Environment: Many students describe NTC as a “Good school in a beautiful location,” with external data reinforcing its affordability and good job placement rates in specific technical fields.
Common Criticisms
Severe Financial and Collections Issues: A strong recurring complaint, particularly from military veterans, warns others to “BEWARE OF THIS SCHOOL,” alleging that the administration is “super quick to send it to collections” if a payment is missed. Reviewers felt the school was aggressive in its pursuit of funds and unaccommodating regarding payment issues.
Administrative and Academic Malpractice: One highly detailed recent complaint describes a damaging experience in the Business program where classes allegedly began to “disappear” without explanation. The same reviewer was then billed for returned books that the school had apparently misplaced.
Lack of Student Accommodation: A reviewer reported issues with the school’s failure to provide necessary accommodation (related to childcare, as noted by the mention of the “childcare instructor”), describing the experience as “horrible” due to the perceived unhelpfulness of a specific staff member.
Logistical Issues: Minor but persistent complaints include the high cost of, and difficulty with, student parking.
Momentum
The college exhibits a persistent split. Recent reviews (from the last two years) feature the highest praise for faculty and the nursing program, but also include the most severe administrative complaint (the business program issue). This suggests that while the quality of instruction in key programs is high, the school’s financial and administrative practices remain a significant source of severe, negative feedback.