At $20,780/yr net price, Northland College graduates earn $44,560/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,560/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,780 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,120 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,560/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,560/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,450 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,367/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,357/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,256/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,840/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,084/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
43.3% of students at Northland 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
Northland College gives you a mixed financial picture with real risk on the completion side. You pay about $20,780 a year net, and ten years out the median graduate earns $44,560. That earnings figure is decent for a small liberal arts college in northern Wisconsin, and the median debt of $25,450 stays close to one year's median earnings, which keeps repayment manageable if you graduate.
The completion problem is where the risk sits. Only 43% of students finish, and about 29% who start don't return for a second year. If you borrow, start, and leave without a degree, you carry debt with none of the earnings power that makes it payable. That gap between the 71% retention rate and the 43% graduation rate is the single biggest financial danger here.
Program data is thin. The only bachelor-level earnings line is Biology, General, and it comes in low at $25,194 against $26,000 in debt. If biology is your plan, know that this specific program pays back slowly, with debt exceeding early earnings. The stronger $44,560 median across all graduates suggests other paths do better, but no other bachelor programs are broken out to confirm which ones.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000 in family income, you pay about $17,367. above $110,000, you pay $27,084, nearly $10,000 more. The aid clearly scales with need, so this school is a better financial fit if your family earns under $48,000, where your price stays near $18,000 or below.
Northland works for you if you're confident you'll graduate and you're not banking on the biology track alone to pay back your loans. If your income is high and your finish is uncertain, the full $27,084 price with a 43% completion rate is a hard bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northland College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Northland College graduates earn $44,560 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $20,780 per year and median debt of $25,450, the financial return is modest compared to many four-year colleges.
What is the return on investment for Northland College graduates?
The ROI is mixed - while the net price is relatively affordable at around $21,000 annually, the low graduation rate of 43% means many students don't complete their degrees. Those who do graduate face below-average earning potential in most fields.
Does Northland College provide good financial aid to students?
The net price of $20,780 suggests decent financial aid since many private colleges cost significantly more. However, the 43% graduation rate indicates many students still struggle to complete their programs despite the aid.
Are Northland College programs worth the debt?
With median debt of $25,450 and graduates earning $44,560 after ten years, debt payments should be manageable for those who complete their degrees. The bigger risk is the low graduation rate, which leaves many students with debt but no degree.