Northwestern Michigan College is a community college established in 1951 in Traverse City, Michigan. Our enrollment for credited classes is approximately 5,000 students per semester. NMC offers associates degrees and professional certificates at our main campuses, and through our University Center, we grant baccalaureate and graduate degrees from 10 partner universities.
School Highlights
Northwestern Michigan College serves 3,253 students (38% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is lower than the state community college average of 33:1.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 40%.
Quick Facts (2026)
Enrollment: 3,253 students
In-state tuition: $5,645
Out-state tuition: $6,994
Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
Minority enrollment: 23%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 124 teachers has declined by 71% over five years.
Northwestern Michigan College
(MI) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges: High Career & Technical-High Traditional
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The student population of Northwestern Michigan College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 has increased from 8:1 over five years.
The Northwestern Michigan College diversity score of 0.39 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 61% over five years.
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
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College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
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Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $5,645 is more than the state average of $4,915. The in-state tuition has declined by 33% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,994 is more than the state average of $6,808. The out-state tuition has declined by 35% over four years.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
NMC is the country's only college to have a Maritime academy on
fresh water. The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located at the
spectacular Great Lakes Campus located on the shores of Grand
Traverse Bay, a long protected water of Lake Michigan. Maritime is
one of six state maritime academies that receives aid from the
federal Maritime Administration. The Great Lakes Campus also houses
the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, the only culinary school in
Northern Michigan. NMC is home to the Dennos Museum Center, the
Rogers Observatory, the Water Studies Institute, and the Michigan
Technical Education Center, which operates one of the few community
college Aviation programs in the country. NMC's extensive extended
education program offers a vast array of non-credit classes to over
10,000 local residents annually. NMC offers one Associate in
Science & Arts (ASA) degree: General Liberal Arts & Sciences, that
is designed as a degree to prepare students for transfer to
four-year schools. This can combine courses from several academic
areas. NMC offers several Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
degrees and certificates through these Academic Areas: Aviation,
Business, Bridge Program, Communications, Computer Information
Systems (IT), Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Great Lakes Maritime
Academy, Health Occupations, Humanities, M-TEC: Michigan Technical
Education Center Physical Education, Science/Math and Social
Science. The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College
is the region's premier cultural facility offering both major
exhibitions in the arts and sciences and live performances in jazz,
blues, folk and world music by national and international artists.
The museum averages 60,000 visits a year, holds one of the largest
and most historically complete collections of Inuit art in the
United States, and won the Governor's Arts Award for Arts and
Culture in 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Northwestern Michigan College cost?
Northwestern Michigan College's tuition is approximately $5,645 for In-State students and $6,994 for Out-State students.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Northwestern Michigan College is Baker College of Cadillac (35.8 miles away)
Explore how virtual reality training programs in community colleges are preparing students for careers in healthcare, manufacturing, public safety, and more.
For Michigan public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,915 per year for in-state students and $6,808 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $9,806 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.
