
History
Northwest Michigan College, located in Traverse City, Michigan, was founded in 1951 to serve residents of Grand Traverse County. The school has an annual enrollment of approximately 5100 per year, and offers a variety of educational and career oriented programs for residents of its service area. The school operates a two branch campuses, one at Grand Traverse Bay and the other at Cherry Capital Airport. These campuses are home to programs and facilities unavailable at the main campus and provide extended services and support for resident. The school also maintains an observatory and the radio station WNMC-FM, which began operation as a student organization on campus.
Academics
Northwest Michigan College offers a large number of that focus on various areas of study and allows students to choose the one that is right for them, either academically or professionally.
Academic transfer is accomplished by completing the first two years of a four year education, followed by the application to four year colleges universities to transfer earned credits and complete the final two years of study, eventually earning a bachelor's degree. Students wishing to transfer to public schools in Michigan will have the process eased through agreements in place that allow for admission if certain academic prerequisites are met. Individuals transferring to out of state or private schools will have to meet the varying transfer requirements of individual schools and should consult with a counselor to develop a curriculum that assists in matching such requirements.
Career training and technical programs provide education in a given field, and provide the development of the specialized skills and abilities necessary to enter the workforce as qualified professionals. Courses are taught in both traditional classrooms and simulated environments, with simulated environments used to master necessary skills while under the supervision of experienced specialists and instructors. Such programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a certificate or associate degree that demonstrates competency.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Northwestern Michigan College is a public, two year, open enrollment institution that allows any individual admission once they have completed an admissions application, supplied all previous transcripts, provided standardized test scores if available, and taken a placement exam prior to registration if necessary. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to discuss goals, program enrollment and curriculum, and should participate in orientation to familiarize themselves with the campus.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used by the school to determine the extent of a student's financial need and their aid program eligibility when constructing a financial aid packet. Aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of each academic year.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $8,100. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $20 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition range:
- State Residents: $2,900-$3,500
- Out-of-State: $7,500-$8,956
- Charges for part-time students are:
- State Residents: $97-$120 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $250-$300 per credit unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 83% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 65% | $4,766 |
Receiving Student Loans | 45% | $6,513 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, Northwestern Michigan College may provide services to students including:
- Distance learning
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Helping students find work after graduation
- Day care
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Students who attend a community college will be able to choose from a variety of programs that will lead to an associate's degree or transfer to a four year institution. The following list shows graduation and transfer-out rates for NMC compared to community colleges in Michigan, which can be useful for determining which community college to attend.
NMC | Grand Traverse County | Michigan | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 15.2% | - | 14.7% |
Transfer-out Rate | 29.6% | - | 26.7% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Dental Assistant Program
- Accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation (since 1965)
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 2014)
- Compare all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Michigan
- Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 2014)
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Northwestern Michigan College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Crop Production (A)
- Landscaping (A)
- Turf Management
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (A)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (A)
- Bookkeeping (A)
- Small Business Management (C)
- Information Systems (A)
- Executive Assistant (C)
- General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
- Administrative Assistant
Communication Technology
- Audio and Video Production (A, C)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (A)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Networking (A, C)
- Computer Programming (A)
- Web Design (C)
- Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications (C)
- Computer Support Specialist (C)
Construction Trades
- Property Management (C)
- Carpentry (C)
- Electrical and Power Transmission Installation
Education
- Education (A)
Engineering
Engineering Technology
- Engineering Technology (A)
- Refrigeration Technology (A, C)
- Engineering Technologies (A)
- Manufacturing Engineering Technician (A)
- Cad Drafting
- Energy Management
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Development (A, C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
- Dental Assistant (A, C)
- Pre-Nursing Studies
Legal Professions and Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A)
- General Studies (A, C)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Water, Wetlands and Marine Resources Management (A)
Personal and Culinary Services
- Culinary Arts (A, C)
Precision Production
Security and Protective Services
Social Sciences
- Social Science (A)
Transportation and Materials Moving
- Marine Science, Merchant Marine Officer (B, C)
- Commercial Airline Pilot (A)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Commercial and Advertising Art (A)
- Arts Management (A)
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Northwestern Michigan College.
- Kirtland Community College in Roscommon, MI (60 miles away)
- Mid Michigan Community College in Harrison, MI (68 miles away)
- West Shore Community College in Scottville, MI (70 miles away)
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College in Mount Pleasant, MI (90 miles away)
- Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba, MI (101 miles away)