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Northwood University vs Universal Technical Institute-Canton: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Midland MI · vs · Private for-profit, Canton MI

The verdict

Universal Technical Institute-Canton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,940 in 6.5 years versus 7.4 years at Northwood University, on median earnings of $62,575 vs $63,075 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorthwood UniversityUniversal Technical Institute-Canton
Net price / yr$27,232$22,985
Total net cost$108,928$91,940
Median earnings, 10 yrs$63,075$62,575
Median debt$20,842$12,801
Payback7.4 yrs6.5 yrs
20-year net return$185,372$192,360

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

Which is cheaper, Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton?

Universal Technical Institute-Canton, at $22,985 a year after aid versus $27,232 — a gap of $4,247 a year, or $16,988 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton graduates earn more?

Northwood University graduates report a median $63,075 ten years after entry, $500 more than the $62,575 at Universal Technical Institute-Canton. 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, Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton?

Universal Technical Institute-Canton: its completers carry a median $12,801 in federal loans versus $20,842 at Northwood University, a difference of $8,041. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute-Canton, against 63% at Northwood 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.

Northwood University vs Universal Technical Institute-Canton: frequently asked questions

Is Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton a better value?
Universal Technical Institute-Canton. It clears its $91,940 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 7.4 years at Northwood University, on median earnings of $62,575 vs $63,075 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton?
Universal Technical Institute-Canton: $22,985/yr net price after aid versus $27,232/yr at Northwood University — a difference of $4,247 a year, or about $16,988 over four years.
Do Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton graduates earn more?
Northwood University graduates earn a median $63,075 ten years after entry, versus $62,575 at Universal Technical Institute-Canton — a $500 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.