Northern Michigan University vs College for Creative Studies: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northern Michigan University comes closer — median earnings $47,107 against a $56,340 total, vs $44,860 at College for Creative Studies. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northern Michigan University | College for Creative Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,085 | $34,617 |
| Total net cost | $56,340 | $138,468 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,107 | $44,860 |
| Median debt | $21,474 | $26,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$81,400 | -$208,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Northern Michigan University or College for Creative Studies?
Northern Michigan University, at $14,085 a year after aid versus $34,617 — a gap of $20,532 a year, or $82,128 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Northern Michigan University or College for Creative Studies graduates earn more?
Northern Michigan University graduates report a median $47,107 ten years after entry, $2,247 more than the $44,860 at College for Creative Studies. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Northern Michigan University or College for Creative Studies?
Northern Michigan University: its completers carry a median $21,474 in federal loans versus $26,000 at College for Creative Studies, a difference of $4,526. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at College for Creative Studies, against 52% at Northern Michigan University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.