Marquette, MI · Private University
Is Northern Michigan University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$47,107
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,304
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,800
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$75,200
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.51x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
50.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,474
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,485
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Northern Michigan University graduates earn $2,107 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Northern Michigan University ranked by graduate earnings
37 graduates
20 graduates
149 graduates
19 graduates
30 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Northern Michigan University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Northern Michigan University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Construction Management: $75,226) and the lowest (Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies: $28,890) is $46,336/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Construction ManagementBest ROI(1yr data) | $75,226 | 4.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $68,476 | 3.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,075 | 3.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $61,567 | 3.3x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $59,241 | 3.1x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,961 | 2.7x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,226 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,962 | 2.5x |
| Biology, General | $46,396 | 2.5x |
| History | $43,326 | 2.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,203 | 2.3x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $43,199 | 2.3x |
| Social Work | $42,896 | 2.3x |
| Marketing | $42,354 | 2.3x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $40,182 | 2.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,995 | 2.0x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $37,574 | 2.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,204 | 2.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,955 | 2.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $36,666 | 1.9x |
| Psychology, General | $34,026 | 1.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,895 | 1.8x |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management(1yr data) | $31,386 | 1.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31,065 | 1.6x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $29,758 | 1.6x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $28,890 | 1.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Northern Michigan University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $47,107 10 years after starting, $2,107 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.2 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.