Economics at Northern Michigan University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (22 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Michigan University | $49,211* | $47,918 | $26,536* | — |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $68,416* | $87,800 | $19,690* | 0.29 |
| Michigan State University | $54,013* | $71,300 | $24,250* | 0.45 |
| Grand Valley State University | $53,985* | $58,840 | $27,000* | 0.50 |
| Wayne State University | $50,648* | $73,856 | $24,681* | 0.49 |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | $49,665* | $70,842 | $28,381* | 0.57 |
| National Median | $51,722* | — | $22,816* | 0.44 |
Other Economics Programs in Michigan
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Michigan schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor | $17,228 | $68,416 | $19,690 |
| Michigan State University East Lansing | $15,988 | $54,013 | $24,250 |
| Grand Valley State University Allendale | $14,628 | $53,985 | $27,000 |
| Wayne State University Detroit | $14,297 | $50,648 | $24,681 |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn | $14,944 | $49,665 | $28,381 |
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 median of 10 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.