College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
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Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI 6,556 Undergrads 57.1% Grad Rate
Share
Total Cost
$29,226
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$12,759
After Aid
Median Earnings
$54,278
5yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$12,759
Peer Midpoint: $19,969
Earnings (5yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$54,278
Peer Midpoint: $61,632
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$51,936
Peer Midpoint: $58,891
Graduation Rate57.1%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Average starting age (2015-17)20.9
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients31.7%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time87.7%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS67.6%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance
84.0%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$483k
+$12k
-$4k
Median Cost$13k/yr
+$437k
-$33k
-$50k
Full Cost$29k/yr
+$377k
-$93k
-$109k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
Never
-∞
Median Cost$13k/yr
Never
-108%
Full Cost$29k/yr
Never
-104%
Analysis Assumptions:
  • Starting Salary: Estimated from the median earnings five years after graduating, with four years of 2% raises taken out.
  • Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
  • Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
  • NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return-90%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-77%

Program ROI Analysis

These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →

Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,272
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$8,980
Earnings (4yr)
$25,486
Natl Median: $26,307
Lifetime Value Added
-$189k
Median Debt
$5,500
Earnings (4yr)
$78,273
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
+$368k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,315
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,705
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,148
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,199
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,665
Natl Median: $56,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$109k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$59,723
Natl Median: $48,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$183k
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Associate's Degrees

Median Debt
$14,393
Earnings (4yr)
$55,637
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$80k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $59,378
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,587
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (2yr)
$20,140
Natl Median: $49,927
Lifetime Value Added
-$272k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$62,505
Natl Median: $57,472
Lifetime Value Added
+$146k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,195
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$61,737
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
+$127k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,792
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$32,925
Natl Median: $55,148
Lifetime Value Added
-$134k
Fine and Studio Arts
AssocCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,650
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,400
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$26,933
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$198k
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$66,203
Natl Median: $69,017
Lifetime Value Added
+$181k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,099
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$11,139
Earnings (4yr)
$39,957
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
-$76k
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Bachelor's Degrees

Median Debt
$22,969
Earnings (4yr)
$62,901
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
+$30k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$52,006
Natl Median: $70,786
Lifetime Value Added
-$68k
Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,676
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Area Studies
BachCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,625
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Behavioral Sciences
BachCIP: 3017
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$57,325
Natl Median: $48,673
Lifetime Value Added
-$16k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,466
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
$43,698
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$130k
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$49,202
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
-$83k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (2yr)
$38,289
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
-$164k
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
$67,522
Natl Median: $75,975
Lifetime Value Added
+$66k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$47,875
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$95k
Median Debt
$14,052
Earnings (4yr)
$57,165
Natl Median: $58,928
Lifetime Value Added
-$17k
Median Debt
$26,495
Earnings (4yr)
$90,337
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$241k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $85,063
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
BachCIP: 1510
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$88,881
Natl Median: $93,843
Lifetime Value Added
+$230k
Median Debt
$17,622
Earnings (4yr)
$91,682
Natl Median: $95,124
Lifetime Value Added
+$251k
Median Debt
$19,158
Earnings (4yr)
$59,390
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
+$1k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$17,481
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
-$354k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,842
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,179
Natl Median: $82,686
Lifetime Value Added
-$58k
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
BachCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $84,599
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (5yr)
$38,627
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$181k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,236
Natl Median: $61,027
Lifetime Value Added
-$75k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,710
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$41,921
Natl Median: $43,765
Lifetime Value Added
-$153k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$63,730
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$36k
Median Debt
$22,220
Earnings (4yr)
$36,228
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$195k
Median Debt
$27,250
Earnings (2yr)
$28,019
Natl Median: $47,243
Lifetime Value Added
-$257k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,853
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$26,353
Natl Median: $60,190
Lifetime Value Added
-$272k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$34,318
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
-$212k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$45,797
Natl Median: $56,726
Lifetime Value Added
-$112k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,890
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $75,803
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$25,194
Natl Median: $66,596
Lifetime Value Added
-$283k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,266
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,290
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$68,157
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
+$71k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$35,640
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$188k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$82,326
Natl Median: $82,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$180k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$46,092
Natl Median: $52,119
Lifetime Value Added
-$118k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,582
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$17,818
Earnings (4yr)
$50,300
Natl Median: $55,012
Lifetime Value Added
-$74k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,451
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$21,978
Earnings (4yr)
$40,825
Natl Median: $50,983
Lifetime Value Added
-$155k
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,455
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
BachCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $76,786
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$61,328
Natl Median: $62,172
Lifetime Value Added
+$7k
Median Debt
$23,687
Earnings (4yr)
$50,520
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
-$72k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$19,485
Earnings (4yr)
$43,349
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$133k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,093
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$33,993
Natl Median: $63,560
Lifetime Value Added
-$202k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,497
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$77,670
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$144k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$20,140
Natl Median: $55,695
Lifetime Value Added
-$330k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$39,982
Natl Median: $48,471
Lifetime Value Added
-$162k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$33,993
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
-$202k
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$23,081
Earnings (4yr)
$54,836
Natl Median: $51,790
Lifetime Value Added
-$36k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$22,766
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
-$305k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$37,856
Natl Median: $50,499
Lifetime Value Added
-$168k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$21,544
Earnings (4yr)
$47,613
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$97k
Median Debt
$21,810
Earnings (4yr)
$45,008
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$119k
Median Debt
$22,985
Earnings (4yr)
$46,002
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$111k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$34,823
Natl Median: $44,055
Lifetime Value Added
-$213k

Master's Degrees

Biology, General
MastCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,830
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $110,121
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,184
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $90,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$59,272
Natl Median: $63,399
Lifetime Value Added
-$143k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$66,886
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$73k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$28,212
Natl Median: $55,512
Lifetime Value Added
-$437k
Psychology, General
MastCIP: 4201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,711
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$60,709
Natl Median: $81,408
Lifetime Value Added
-$130k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,035
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$43,240
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
-$281k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
MastCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$33,993
Natl Median: $62,033
Lifetime Value Added
-$376k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$62,230
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
-$116k

Doctoral Degrees

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $138,131
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. Note that the institution's average undergraduate net price is used as a proxy for annual cost, which may differ from actual graduate tuition. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.