Management Information Systems and Services at North Central University

Nearly half of North Central's students receive Pell grants, yet this MIS program carries an estimated debt load of $26,581—slightly above both the state and national medians for the field. While peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $59,490, that's actually below what similar programs in Minnesota typically produce ($62,168). Students at Winona State and Augsburg, for instance, earn $64,613 and $59,722 respectively in their first year—both outpacing the national baseline this program appears aligned with.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 isn't alarming on its face, but it deserves scrutiny when comparable Minnesota programs show stronger earnings potential with similar or lower debt burdens. For a field like MIS where technical skills and local employer connections matter significantly, the gap between this program's estimated outcomes and what other Minnesota schools actually report raises questions about competitiveness. The 91% admission rate suggests accessibility, but parents should weigh whether that openness translates to the same career placement infrastructure found at more selective Minnesota tech programs.

If your child is set on North Central for community or fit reasons, understand you're likely paying slightly more for outcomes that may trail state peers. Request concrete placement data and employer partnerships before committing—the school should be able to demonstrate where their MIS graduates actually land, even if the Department of Education can't publish it.