Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Northern Michigan University #682 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,886 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 26.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Northern Michigan University #424 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds.
Azimuth ranks Northern Michigan University #682 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Marquette, Michigan, Northern Michigan University enrolls roughly 6,556 undergraduates. Retention is 78.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 52.1%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Northern Michigan University delivers consistent value across its core pillars. Azimuth ranks Northern Michigan University #1195 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,886 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northern Michigan University in the 26.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in health-related fields — its dominant program family — aligns with stable, growing labor-market demand and contributes to outcomes that outperform expectations for a master's-level public university. Access and affordability anchor the institution's profile. 28.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.5% are first-generation college students, reflecting broad enrollment of students from lower-income and underrepresented backgrounds. Northern Michigan University sits in the 77.9 percentile for affordability and the 55.0 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families seeking a public university with manageable cost, strong support for first-generation students, and outcomes that exceed what similar institutions deliver, Northern Michigan University offers a reliable pathway to long-term financial stability.
Northern Michigan University's published cost of attendance is $27,841. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $7,697, mid-low-income families pay around $7,185, middle-income families pay about $11,051, mid-high-income families pay approximately $16,324, and higher-income families pay around $22,268. Azimuth ranks Northern Michigan University #315 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Northern Michigan University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to reduce the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of the aid package for qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,474, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,287; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $52,624, median federal debt of $21,474 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Northern Michigan University is a strong fit for students interested in health professions and applied fields who want a public university experience in MI's Upper Peninsula region. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $52,624, placing Northern Michigan University in the 12.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,886 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 26.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.5% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Northern Michigan University in the 7.4 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors health professions and applied fields over research-oriented disciplines, and the Midwest location offers a distinct lifestyle appeal. Students whose interests align with those areas and who value the Upper Peninsula's outdoor opportunities will find a strong earnings trajectory and accessible aid structure.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Northern Michigan University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Auburn University At Montgomery Similar quality tier (#20825 ranked) | AL | 92% | $44,391 | #20825 | Compare |
Morehead State University Similar quality tier (#20822 ranked) | KY | 77% | $43,197 | #20822 | Compare |
South Carolina State University Similar quality tier (#20819 ranked) | SC | 83% | $38,262 | #20819 | Compare |
Winthrop University Similar quality tier (#21378 ranked) | SC | 79% | $47,185 | #21378 | Compare |
Eastern Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#20289 ranked) | CT | 83% | $56,469 | #20289 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Northern Michigan University's published cost of attendance is $27,841. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $7,697, mid-low-income families pay around $7,185, middle-income families pay about $11,051, mid-high-income families pay approximately $16,324, and higher-income families pay around $22,268.
Azimuth ranks Northern Michigan University #315 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Northern Michigan University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to reduce the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of the aid package for qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,474, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,287; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $52,624, median federal debt of $21,474 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Northern Michigan University earn median 4-year earnings of $52,624, placing Northern Michigan University in the 12.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,886 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northern Michigan University in the 26.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Northern Michigan University #1195 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Northern Michigan University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 103 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $77,670, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 99 students with median 4-year earnings of $43,698, while Psychology, General delivers median 4-year earnings of $43,349 across 67 graduates.
These health and applied-science programs anchor the institution's economic profile and drive consistent outcomes across the student body.
Construction Management
32 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
23 graduates
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
16 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
103 graduates
Marketing
18 graduates
Northern Michigan University's program mix is anchored in health sciences and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional mission and workforce alignment. Nursing is the largest program with 103 graduates annually, followed by Biology, General, Psychology, General, Business Administration, and Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 1,202 students annually, the institution's dominant concentration in Health drives both enrollment scale and earnings outcomes. The highest-earning programs at Northern Michigan reflect strength in specialized health and technical fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $77,670 four years after enrollment across 103 graduates, followed by Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions with $67,522 and Criminal Justice with $59,390. Natural Resources Conservation and Research and Business Administration round out the top earners, demonstrating consistent strength across the health and applied-professional portfolio.
The program mix reflects Business at 15%, Education at 7%, and Arts at 6%, positioning the institution as a regional hub for health-workforce preparation. Many of Northern Michigan's dominant programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly in stable, in-demand sectors—particularly in nursing, allied health, and technical fields where regional and national labor markets show sustained hiring.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with current workforce trends. This concentration in health and applied fields supports predictable career outcomes and earnings trajectories for students seeking direct entry into established professions.
