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Northwestern Michigan College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: which has better ROI?

Public, Traverse City MI · vs · Private for-profit, Southfield MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northwestern Michigan College comes closer — median earnings $38,167 against a $12,462 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorthwestern Michigan CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Southfield
Net price / yr$6,231$38,786
Total net cost$12,462$155,144
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,167$34,657
Median debt$12,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$216,322-$429,204

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Northwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?

Northwestern Michigan College, at $6,231 a year after aid versus $38,786 — a gap of $32,555 a year, or $142,682 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Northwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?

Northwestern Michigan College graduates report a median $38,167 ten years after entry, $3,510 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. 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, Northwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?

Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $12,500 at Northwestern Michigan College, a difference of $3,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Northwestern Michigan College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: frequently asked questions

Is Northwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield a better value?
Northwestern Michigan College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Northwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?
Northwestern Michigan College: $6,231/yr net price after aid versus $38,786/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield — a difference of $32,555 a year, or about $142,682 over four years.
Do Northwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?
Northwestern Michigan College graduates earn a median $38,167 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield — a $3,510 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.