Analysis
Northern Michigan's behavioral sciences bachelor's comes with an estimated $26,889 in debt—right at the national median for this field—while national peer programs suggest first-year earnings around $35,410. That 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would need roughly nine months of pre-tax income to cover their loans, which falls into reasonable territory compared to many bachelor's programs. With only 76 behavioral sciences programs nationwide reporting data, this remains a relatively niche credential, though the consistency between Northern Michigan's debt and the national median suggests the school isn't significantly over- or under-charging compared to alternatives.
The challenge lies in what behavioral sciences actually leads to. This interdisciplinary degree typically feeds into human services, research assistance, or serves as preparation for graduate school rather than a direct career path. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation, that $35,000 starting salary translates to about $2,950 monthly before taxes—manageable with this debt load but leaving little room for error. If graduate school is the real goal, you're looking at stacking additional debt on top of this foundation, which changes the math considerably.
The key question is whether this degree is a stepping stone or a destination. If it's launching your child toward a master's program that will dramatically improve earnings, the debt is simply an entry fee. If it's meant to stand alone as a career credential, the modest earnings trajectory common to this field makes the investment less compelling than more directly vocational bachelor's degrees.
Where Northern Michigan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all behavioral sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Behavioral Sciences bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette | $13,304 | $35,410* | — | $26,889 | — |
 Wilmington UniversityNew Castle | $12,330 | $38,937* | $43,432 | $27,667 | 0.71 |
 Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster | $68,380 | $38,391* | — | $19,000 | 0.49 |
 University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenix | $9,552 | $38,087* | $37,783 | $49,770 | 1.31 |
| University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario | — | $38,087* | $37,783 | $49,770 | 1.31 |
| University of Phoenix-NevadaLas Vegas | — | $38,087* | $37,783 | $49,770 | 1.31 |
| National Median | — | $35,410* | — | $26,944 | 0.76 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with behavioral sciences graduates
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social and Community Service Managers
Life Scientists, All Other
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
Social Science Research Assistants
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Northern Michigan University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 18 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.