Northwood University
Northwood University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northwood University at a Glance
Northwood University (NU) is a private university in Midland, Michigan, United States, and online. Founded in 1959, the university specializes in business and management education, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines such as business administration, finance, accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship, hospitality and automotive-related business fields. As a business school, it offers bachelor's (BBA), master's and PhD degrees. More than 57,000 students have graduated fro…
1959
67 years old
$143M
$142.7 million (2025)
2,116
90 acres
Identity
Is Northwood University Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, Northwood University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,075 — 17% above average — while paying $27,232/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Northwood University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Northwood University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #79 of 147 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Tulsa | 74 | $15,000 | $61,408 |
| #3 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #4 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #5 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #79 | Northwood University | 36 | $27,232 | $63,075 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Northwood University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MI.
Best Programs at Northwood University
The highest-earning program at Northwood University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $54,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $34,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Northwood University earns $54,300, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $34,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,232/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,300 | $54,300 | N/A |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $50,700 | $50,700 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,400 | $48,400 | $18,045 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,300 | $46,300 | $26,973 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,800 | $43,800 | $21,463 |
| Marketing | $39,000 | $39,000 | $21,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $34,200 | $34,200 | $26,849 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $34,100 | $34,100 | $26,250 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Midland, MI
- Student Body
- 1,974 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,232
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,075
- Median Student Debt
- $20,842