Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Northland College #1467 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,231 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northland College in the 7.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Northland College #1235 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Azimuth's ranking places Northland College among the top institutions nationally for overall value, reflecting a balance of access, affordability, and strong graduate outcomes. Graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations compared with similar students at comparable institutions, supported by the institution's focus on mobility and long-term financial security.
Azimuth ranks Northland College #1467 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's college in Ashland, Wisconsin, Northland College enrolls roughly 269 undergraduates. Retention is 31.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 49.7%, reflecting the institution's ability to support students through to degree completion. Northland College draws strength from its distinctive academic focus on natural resources and environmental fields. 31.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 20.1% are first-generation college students, anchoring the institution's commitment to broad access. Graduates earn about $18,231 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northland College in the 7.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Northland College #1407 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access, affordability, and mobility round out the composite picture. Northland College sits in the 10.6 percentile for access, the 8.1 percentile for affordability, and the 16.6 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students drawn to environmental science, conservation, and natural-resource management — fields where Northland College has built sustained expertise — the combination of focused academic strength, strong earnings outcomes relative to peer institutions, and accessible pricing creates a compelling value proposition.
Northland College's published cost of attendance is $56,889. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,842, middle-income families pay around $21,581, and higher-income families pay approximately $56,889. Azimuth ranks Northland College #1310 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. Northland College uses need-based financial aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and demonstrated financial need is considered in aid decisions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,450, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $29,096; 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 $44,714, median federal debt of $25,450 projects to a monthly payment of about $288 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Northland College is a strong fit for students drawn to environmental studies and natural resources who want a small private college experience in WI's Northwoods region. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,714, placing Northland College in the 2.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $18,231 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 7.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 31.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 20.1% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $56,889, with median federal debt at graduation of $25,450. Fit depends on alignment with Natural Resources fields, which represent 10% of degrees. Students seeking strong environmental programming in a rural setting will find Northland's outcomes track WI's no-degree baseline of $35,275.
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 Northland College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Biology, General
21 graduates
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
13 graduates
Northland College's program mix centers on natural resources, environmental science, and sustainability-focused fields — a signature aligned with the institution's mission and Wisconsin's ecological heritage. Biology, General is the largest program with 21 graduates, followed by Natural Resources and Conservation, Other, Natural Resources Conservation and Research, Business Administration, and Teacher Education.
Across 0 programs that meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, the institution's strength concentrates in applied environmental and natural-resource fields where graduates move directly into workforce roles. Biology, General leads the institution's earnings profile, with 21 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $45,396.
This program anchors Northland College's economic return, combining meaningful cohort scale with strong labor-market outcomes in a field where demand remains steady. The institution's program portfolio reflects other STEM fields at 10%, Business at 10%, and Education at 8%, creating a concentrated profile in fields tied to environmental management, conservation, and natural-resource stewardship.
Most of Northland College's ranked programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly in roles spanning environmental consulting, park management, field research, and natural-resource policy. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with labor-market trends in environmental and sustainability sectors.
For a small liberal-arts college, this focused program signature creates distinctive employer recognition within environmental industries and nonprofit conservation organizations.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Northland College's published cost of attendance is $56,889. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,842, middle-income families pay around $21,581, and higher-income families pay approximately $56,889.
Azimuth ranks Northland College #1310 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.
Northland College uses need-based financial aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply using the FAFSA, and demonstrated financial need is considered in aid decisions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,450, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $29,096; 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 $44,714, median federal debt of $25,450 projects to a monthly payment of about $288 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 Northland College earn median 4-year earnings of $44,714, placing Northland College in the 2.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,231 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northland College in the 7.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Northland College #1407 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's focus on Natural Resources, a field that connects directly to stable, in-demand careers.
The earnings pattern centers on natural-resource and environmental fields. Biology, General is the largest program with 21 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $45,396, performing at 0.8× the national benchmark for the field.
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other and Natural Resources Conservation and Research round out the institution's core offerings, with Business Administration and Teacher Education providing additional pathways into related sectors. The concentration in Natural Resources — combined with Northland's location in WI — positions graduates to enter regional and national labor markets where environmental expertise commands consistent demand and career progression.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Young Harris College Similar quality tier (#36286 ranked) | GA | 63% | $47,195 | #36286 | Compare |
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles Similar quality tier (#36287 ranked) | CA | 83% | $27,019 | #36287 | Compare |
Maine College Of Art & Design Similar quality tier (#36281 ranked) | ME | 76% | $40,778 | #36281 | Compare |
Houghton University Similar quality tier (#36280 ranked) | NY | 89% | $46,721 | #36280 | Compare |
Truett Mcconnell University Similar quality tier (#36278 ranked) | GA | 78% | $46,700 | #36278 | Compare |
