At $2,795/yr net price, Northern Marianas College graduates earn $27,836/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $2,795 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $11,180 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $27,836/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-6,164/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.2% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,235/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,182/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,258/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $4,639/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $15,552 |
The Risk Factor
42.2% of students at Northern Marianas College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Northern Marianas College gives you one of the lowest net prices you'll find at any four-year public school, but the payoff on the other end is weak. Median earnings ten years out sit below $28,000, which is close to what many people make without any degree at all. The low cost softens that, but it doesn't erase it.
The core problem is that no bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so you're making a bet on a school where the median graduate lands in low-wage territory. On Saipan, the job market is small and tied heavily to tourism and government, which caps how far most credentials go locally. If your plan is to stay in the CNMI, that ceiling is real. If you plan to leave for the mainland or Guam, an NMC degree gives you a cheap start, but you'll be competing against graduates from schools with stronger name recognition and higher reported outcomes.
The financial risks here are completion and retention. Only about 42% of you will graduate, and roughly four in ten don't return after the first year. A degree you don't finish still costs you time and any loans you took, and it won't move your earnings. At this school, dropping out is the biggest money risk you face, not tuition.
The net price tiers barely move across income levels, ranging from about $2,235 to $4,639. That flatness means NMC is affordable whether your family earns under $30k or over $100k. This school fits you if you live in the CNMI, want to keep debt near zero, and have a concrete plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you're chasing high earnings and can access mainland schools with stronger salary data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northern Marianas College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Northern Marianas College costs only $2,795 per year, making it extremely affordable. However, graduates earn just $27,836 after 10 years, which is well below national averages for college graduates.
What is the graduation rate at Northern Marianas College and does it affect ROI?
Only 42% of students graduate from Northern Marianas College. This low completion rate means many students may leave with debt but no degree, significantly hurting potential returns on investment.
Which programs at Northern Marianas College offer the best job prospects?
The most popular programs are Liberal Arts and General Studies, but graduates in these fields typically earn around $15,552. These low earnings make it difficult to justify even the school's modest costs from a purely financial perspective.
Should I worry about student debt if I attend Northern Marianas College?
The low annual cost of $2,795 means debt levels should be manageable compared to mainland schools. However, the combination of low graduation rates and poor earning outcomes creates financial risk even at this price point.