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Is Northwestern Michigan College worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Northwestern Michigan, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Northwestern Michigan sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $38,167 helps, but median debt of $12,500 plus yearly net price of $6,231 creates a tighter path. For context, Northwestern Michigan's net price sits about 56% below the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$5,831
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $7,324 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $29,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$6,231
Median earnings 10 years out
$38,167
Median debt at graduation
$12,500
Graduation rate
25%
At Northwestern Michigan, a typical graduate carries about $12,500 in student debt and earns roughly $38,167 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $142 per month, or 4% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Northwestern Michigan is a two year school in Traverse City, MI. For many families, the real question is not just sticker price but what this path unlocks next, whether that is direct employment, transfer, or a lower cost route into a four year degree.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
2-year
Southwestern Michigan
Dowagiac, MI
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $5,978
2-year
Lake Michigan
Benton Harbor, MI
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $6,680
2-year
Oakland Community
Auburn Hills, MI
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $5,777
2-year
Mott Community
Flint, MI
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $5,687
2-year
St Clair County Community
Port Huron, MI
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $5,571
Common questions about Northwestern Michigan
The median net price at Northwestern Michigan is $6,231 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Michigan? See the most affordable public universities in Michigan →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →