At $26,429/yr net price, Northwood University graduates earn $63,075/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $29,075/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,429 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $105,716 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,075/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,075/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,842 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,137/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,931/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,179/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,556/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,125/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $62,409 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,995 | $41,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $57,318 | |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $53,775 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $52,941 | $18,067 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $48,823 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,116 | $19,325 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $42,384 | $19,050 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $35,701 | $18,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $35,594 | $23,750 |
The Risk Factor
61.1% of students at Northwood University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Northwood University gives you a solid but unspectacular financial return. You pay a real private-college price, and the median graduate earns enough a decade out to justify it, but not by a wide margin. The payoff depends heavily on which major you pick.
The business and tech programs carry this school. Northwood is a business-focused institution, and its computer and information sciences graduates out-earn every other program here, followed by management information systems. If you come for accounting, you get a strong deal: graduates earn well and leave with the lowest debt of any listed program, roughly $7,000 less than the sales and merchandising track. Finance sits at the bottom of the top earners, so a finance degree here returns less than the tech or accounting paths despite similar debt.
The main financial risk is the mismatch between price and outcome if you don't land in one of these business or tech fields. Northwood's identity is business, so majors outside that lane have no salary data listed and no proven return to point to. A 61% graduation rate also means a meaningful share of you leave without a degree while still owing money, which is the worst-case outcome at any private school.
The net price tiers work against lower-middle families in an odd way: if your family earns $48-75k, you pay more than families earning under $30k. Aid is steepest at the bottom, thins out in the middle, and the sticker climbs for families over $110k. Northwood is a good fit for you if you're aiming at accounting, IT, or computer science and can control your borrowing. Look elsewhere if you're undecided, drawn to a non-business field, or a middle-income family who won't see the deepest discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwood University worth the cost?
Northwood University graduates earn $63,075 ten years after enrollment, which is modest compared to the $26,429 annual net price. The school's focus on business and automotive programs provides decent career preparation, but the 61% graduation rate suggests many students don't complete their degrees.
What are the highest paying majors at Northwood University?
Computer and Information Sciences leads at $62,409, followed by Business Administration at $57,995. Marketing and accounting programs pay around $53,000-$54,000, which are reasonable returns for business-focused degrees.
How much student debt do Northwood University graduates have?
The median debt load is $20,842, which is manageable compared to starting salaries in most programs. This debt level allows graduates to keep monthly payments reasonable while building their careers.
Does Northwood University have good job placement after graduation?
Northwood's business focus and industry connections provide solid networking opportunities, particularly in automotive and sales fields. However, the 79% acceptance rate and modest earnings suggest it's not a competitive advantage in the job market compared to more selective schools.