Northwestern Michigan College
Northwestern Michigan College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northwestern Michigan College at a Glance
Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is a public community college in Traverse City, Michigan. Established in 1951, the college enrolls more than 4,000 students. The college offers associate degrees and professional certificates, bachelor's degrees through the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, and bachelor's and master's degrees granted by partner universities.
1951
75 years old
$38M
$38.3 million (2024)
4,054
Identity
Is Northwestern Michigan College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Northwestern Michigan College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,167 — 29% below average — while paying $6,231/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 25% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Northwestern Michigan College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Northwestern Michigan College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #64 of 158 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #64 | Northwestern Michigan College | 38 | $6,231 | $38,167 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northwestern Michigan College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MI.
Best Programs at Northwestern Michigan College
The highest-earning program at Northwestern Michigan College is Marine Transportation at $103,300/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Marine Transportation graduate from Northwestern Michigan College earns $103,300, while a Marine Transportation graduate earns $103,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Marine Transportation graduates carry $16,750 in median debt vs. $16,750 for Marine Transportation.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,231/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Transportation | $103,300 | $103,300 | $16,750 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Traverse City, MI
- Student Body
- 2,813 students
- Graduation Rate
- 25%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,231
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,167
- Median Student Debt
- $12,500