Northwestern Michigan College
- Graduation Rate
- 25% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,167 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $6,231 A-
- 64% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 2,813
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 33.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $33.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $33.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $818,465.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 25% — 56% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $33.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Northwestern Michigan College Matters
Northwestern Michigan College is a public community college in Traverse City, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 2,813
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Transportation, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Northwestern Michigan College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,231 a year after grants and scholarships — 64% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,167 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $12,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 72% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.22 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 2,813 students, Northwestern Michigan College is a solid choice for those seeking a community-focused educational experience. It's particularly well-suited for individuals interested in practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Culinary Arts, and Humanities. These programs are designed to equip students with the skills they need for today’s workforce. The small college atmosphere promotes close connections with faculty and fellow students, which can be a significant advantage for those who thrive in collaborative settings.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $38,167 within ten years. This figure suggests a pathway to stable employment, especially for those who engage deeply in their studies and take advantage of internships or practical experiences. With a graduation rate of 25%, it’s clear that while the journey may be challenging, those who succeed will find opportunities to advance. Additionally, affordability is a key point; the net price for attending is around $6,231, making it accessible for many students.
When it comes to financial considerations, the median debt load stands at $12,500, which is manageable for many graduates, especially given the earnings potential. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that support is available for those who may need it. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and ready to engage with their community, seeking hands-on experiences that can enrich their education and career prospects. This practical approach can lead to a fulfilling college experience and a successful transition into the workforce.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Northwestern Michigan College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwestern Michigan College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Traverse City, Michigan, Northwestern Michigan College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 25%.
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 43%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,057
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwestern Michigan College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwestern Michigan College is $13,476, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,231. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,237 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,860
- Out-of-State
- $13,476
- Avg Net Price
- $6,231
- Median Debt
- $12,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 21%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,237
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $3,168
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,568
- Family Income $110K+
- $11,630
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Northwestern Michigan College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Northwestern Michigan College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwestern Michigan College report median earnings of $38,167, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,918
- 8 Years
- $36,925
- 10 Years
- $38,167
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 45%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (3)
- 25%
- 100% (3)
- 25%
- 100% (3)
- 25%
- 100% (3)
- 25%
How Northwestern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Northwestern Michigan College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northwestern Michigan College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,231/year ($24,924 total). Graduates earn $38,167 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $843,389 in total earnings — a net gain of $818,465 (33.8× your investment). The median debt is $12,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 25% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $24,924
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $843,389
- Net Return
- $818,465
- ROI Multiple
- 33.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,231
- Median Debt
- $12,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 25%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Northwestern Michigan College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northwestern Michigan College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.07%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $69,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.07%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $94,290
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,037,004
- Investment Income
- $-1,705,334
Top Programs
The fields Northwestern Michigan College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 53%
- Transportation 10% $125,124 early-career
- Health Professions 10% $58,511 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Business & Marketing 3% $32,002 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 3% $36,132 early-career
- Criminal Justice 2% $33,521 early-career
- Precision Production 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Northwestern Michigan College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwestern Michigan College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Traverse City, Michigan, Northwestern Michigan College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 25%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwestern Michigan College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwestern Michigan College is $13,476, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,231. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,237 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,500 in federal student loans.
Is Northwestern Michigan College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwestern Michigan College report median earnings of $38,167, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Northwestern Michigan College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northwestern Michigan College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.07%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $69,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Northwestern Michigan College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Northwestern Michigan College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Northwestern Michigan College.
- Cochise County Community College DistrictSierra Vista, AZ · Close peer30% grad $38,033 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Grayson CollegeDenison, TX · Close peer27% grad $40,873 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Spokane Falls Community CollegeSpokane, WA · Close peer31% grad $38,955 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Gordon State CollegeBarnesville, GA · Close peer19% grad $37,871 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Colorado Mountain CollegeGlenwood Springs, CO · Close peer27% grad $44,127 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- College of Southern IdahoTwin Falls, ID · Close peer34% grad $40,916 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northwestern Michigan College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Northwestern Michigan College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note