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 3,629 students (33% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the state community college average of 19:1.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 40%.
Quick Stats (2025)
Enrollment: 3,629 students
In-state tuition: $5,645
Out-state tuition: $6,994
Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
Minority enrollment: 22%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 437 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student population of Northwestern Michigan College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 8:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Northwestern Michigan College diversity score of 0.39 is less than the state average of 0.60. The school's diversity has grown by 16% over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,629 students
2,154 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
19:1
# Full-Time Students
1,181 students
878 students
# Part-Time Students
2,448 students
1,714 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
362 students
225 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,181 students
889 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
4 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,448 students
1,714 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
4 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
511 students
178 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
5%
7%
% Black
1%
16%
% White
78%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
4%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
2%
% Unknown races
9%
6%
Diversity Score
0.39
0.60
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
17%
14%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.2429%
0.2071%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,000
$30,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $5,645 is more than the state average of $4,952. The in-state tuition has declined by 31% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,994 is more than the state average of $6,896. The out-state tuition has declined by 33% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,645
$4,952
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,994
$6,896
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
77%
89%
Median Debt for Graduates
$12,836
$11,704
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
98%
Source: 2024 (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)
From business and healthcare to technology and skilled trades, the article showcases the breadth of options available to students seeking to enhance their knowledge, develop new skills, or pursue career advancement.
This comprehensive guide explains what a community college is, its history, and its role in higher education. It covers the types of programs offered, differences from four-year colleges, benefits of attending, and important considerations for prospective students, providing valuable insights for those exploring educational options.
Quick Stats (2025)
Enrollment: 3,629 students
In-state tuition: $5,645
Out-state tuition: $6,994
Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
Minority enrollment: 22%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
For Michigan public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,952 per year for in-state students and $6,896 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $11,103 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.
