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Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, Michigan · Public college · Training programs available:
Address: 1701 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686 · Phone: (231) 995-1000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Northwestern Michigan College is a public trade school in Traverse City, MI offering LPN/LVN, dental assistant, and culinary programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, median graduate debt is $12,500 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,167; the campus completion rate versus the state average of 56.9% is not reported.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Northwestern Michigan College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 30% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $56,160 | $65,460 | $73,880 |
| Dental assistants | $37,110 | $48,820 | $56,940 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $42,170 | $60,070 | $74,090 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $39,090 | $49,990 | $59,190 |
| Surgical technologists | $43,690 | $63,320 | $76,470 |
| Electricians | $42,980 | $76,270 | $92,300 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,110 | $54,120 | $67,100 |
| Construction laborers | $37,220 | $49,590 | $61,730 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $40,210 | $60,850 | $77,780 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,360 | $39,870 | $45,130 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Michigan (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | not reported | $33,993 | $13,375 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | $28,460 | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 12 | $26,743 | $30,409 | $11,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 2 | $26,743 | $30,409 | $11,000 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Northwestern Michigan College is a public trade and career school located in Traverse City, Michigan. It participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. The college's health and technical programs are accredited by specialized bodies including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, with overall institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Among its 19 program families, the school awards the most credentials in LPN/LVN programs, dental assistant training, and culinary and pastry arts, each with 25 completers.
Federal data shows 102 trade completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 2,813. The state average completion rate is 56.9%, though this campus's own completion rate and how it compares to that average is not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $12,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $38,167. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income students are enrolled.
This campus may suit students interested in shorter, career-focused credentials in healthcare support, dental assisting, or culinary arts, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Adults considering a career change should independently verify accreditation status and outcome data by checking with the relevant accreditor and reviewing the school's profile on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Northwestern Michigan College offers 19 program families, with the most completers in LPN/LVN programs, dental assistant training, and culinary and pastry arts (25 each).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited. Institutional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission, with specialized program accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus's specific completion rate and its comparison to the state average of 56.9% are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school or check the College Scorecard for more detail.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,500, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $38,167.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (231) 995-1000 or visit https://www.nmc.edu/ for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Northwestern Michigan College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for state residents and access to state funding compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and the specialized nursing and dental accreditors, and review official outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?171483.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix, including LPN, dental assisting, and culinary arts, suggests options for career changers, but specific scheduling or format for adult learners is not reported in this data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements vary by program (for example, LPN licensure), but specific certification details are not reported in this data; contact the school for program-specific requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Northwestern Michigan College at (231) 995-1000 or through its website at https://www.nmc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; use the College Scorecard link to compare outcomes across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Michigan
- Cadillac Institute of CosmetologyCadillac, MI · 50% completion
- Pinnacle Truck Driver TrainingCadillac, MI
- Lansing Community CollegeLansing, MI · 25% completion
- MIAT College of TechnologyCanton, MI · 64% completion
- Washtenaw Community CollegeAnn Arbor, MI · 33% completion
- Wayne County Community College DistrictDetroit, MI · 22% completion
- Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids, MI · 21% completion
- Henry Ford CollegeDearborn, MI · college
See all trade and career schools in Michigan or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.