Northwood University
- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $63,075 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $27,232 D
- 59% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 65% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,408,971.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 55% more than the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.36% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Northwood University Matters
Northwood University is a private special-focus institution in Midland, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Special-Focus Institution
- Carnegie Class
- Special Focus
- Enrollment
- 1,974
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, Communications
Why students choose Northwood University
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
Competitive — admits about 65% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $27,232 a year after grants and scholarships — 59% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $63,075 ten years after enrolling — 55% above the typical college, against $20,842 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 19% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.62 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 2,000 students, Northwood University in Midland, MI, is a solid choice for those interested in practical, career-focused education. It’s especially appealing to individuals aiming for degrees in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, or Communications. The acceptance rate of 65% suggests that while the school is selective, there's also a welcoming atmosphere for students who are ready to engage with their studies.
When we look at what graduates earn a decade after leaving Northwood, the average figure is $63,075. This number reflects the strong professional pathways that students can take after graduation. Affordability is also a key point—though the net price sits at $27,232, the median debt is manageable at $20,842, making it a reasonable option for many. This balance between cost and potential earnings is vital for anyone considering their long-term financial future.
In practical terms, Northwood seems to suit students who are driven and focused on building their careers. Those who thrive here often take advantage of the university's strong connections in business and industry. With a Pell Grant rate of 26%, the school does cater to some students from lower-income backgrounds, which can further enhance the diversity of ideas and experiences in the classroom. Overall, if you're looking for a supportive environment that prioritizes career readiness, Northwood may be a fitting choice.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Northwood University 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 Northwood University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Midland, Michigan, Northwood University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 65% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 22%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,840
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 1,368
- Admitted
- 1,090
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 Northwood University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwood University is $34,400, 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 $27,232. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,700 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,842 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,400
- Out-of-State
- $34,400
- Avg Net Price
- $27,232
- Median Debt
- $20,842
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 45%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $25,700
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $25,913
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $25,906
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,224
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 Northwood University — 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 Northwood University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwood University earn a median of $63,075, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,058
- 8 Years
- $57,649
- 10 Years
- $63,075
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (147)
- 43%
- 100% (147)
- 43%
- 100% (147)
- 43%
- 100% (147)
- 43%
How Northwood 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 Northwood University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northwood University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $27,232/year ($108,928 total). Graduates earn $63,075 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,517,899 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,408,971 (13.9× your investment). The median debt is $20,842, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $108,928
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,517,899
- Net Return
- $1,408,971
- ROI Multiple
- 13.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $27,232
- Median Debt
- $20,842
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
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 Northwood University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northwood University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.36%, among the highest in the country. About 9.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.36%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 24.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $116,844
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,963,258
- Investment Income
- $-10,333,411
Top Programs
The fields Northwood University 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.
- Business & Marketing 87% $68,105 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $74,154 early-career
- Health Professions 2%
- Communications 2% $42,420 early-career
- Criminal Justice 1%
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 Northwood University'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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwood University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Midland, Michigan, Northwood University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 65% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwood University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwood University is $34,400, 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 $27,232. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,700 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,842 in federal student loans.
Is Northwood University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwood University earn a median of $63,075, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Northwood University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northwood University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.36%, among the highest in the country. About 9.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Northwood University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Northwood University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Northwood University.
- Concordia University-IrvineIrvine, CA · Close peer60% grad $65,083 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Simmons UniversityBoston, MA · Close peer72% grad $63,494 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augustana CollegeRock Island, IL · Close peer76% grad $62,971 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL · Close peer74% grad $61,825 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Emmanuel CollegeBoston, MA · Close peer67% grad $68,245 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Drew UniversityMadison, NJ · Close peer71% grad $63,646 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northwood University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Northwood University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note