Tuition & Fees

We are proud to offer an affordable higher education experience here at NMC. Not only will you save money by enrolling with us, you also can be assured of high-quality learning in an environment that provides personal attention from outstanding instructors.

Net Price Calculator/Shopping Sheet

You can use this tool to estimate your total annual cost of attending Northwestern Michigan College, along with financial aid eligibility. The tool is intended to provide general guidance in planning your educational financing and is not an application for estimated financial aid.

Veterans/Military-Related Students

All veterans, military personnel and their family members who are not Grand Traverse County residents will receive the in-state tuition rate.

Tuition Rates (effective Fall semester 2023)

Rates are established by the Board of Trustees and are subject to change without notice. These are the approved rates as of June 27, 2023 which apply to the 2023–2024 academic years. Tuition charges (except for Maritime courses) are based on contact hours with the instructor. Contact hours are shown on the course schedule.

• Download the Tuition and Fee Schedule
• Download a guide to tuition and fees by residency status

General Academic Programs

Residency Status	Tuition Rate
In-District ( Grand Traverse County residents) Tuition	$122.00 per contact hour
In-State ( other Michigan counties) Tuition	$261.00 per contact hour
Out-of-state Tuition	$340.00 per contact hour
International Tuition	$383.00 per contact hour
General Fee for all residencies: Other fee of $33.00 per contact hour is a general fee covering a portion of costs for technology, orientation, placement, career testing, Student Government Association, and other student service activities.	$33.00 per contact hour

Tier I Tuition - Courses: Automotive, Audio Technology, Construction Technology, Dental Assistant, Nursing (HNR), Surgical Technology, and Surveying

Residency Status	Tuition Rate
In-District ( Grand Traverse County residents) Tuition	$147.00 per contact hour
In-State ( other Michigan counties) Tuition	$299.00 per contact hour
Out-of-state Tuition	$387.00 per contact hour
International Tuition	$438.00 per contact hour
General Fee for all residencies: Other fee of $33.00 per contact hour is a general fee covering a portion of costs for technology, orientation, placement, career testing, Student Government Association, and other student service activities.	$33.00 per contact hour
General Fee for all residencies for Nursing courses (HNR)	$23.00 per contact hour
Nursing Exam Software Fee for students in ADN & PN programs	$28.75 per semester

Tier II Tuition - Courses in Culinary program (CUL)

Residency Status	Tuition Rate
In-District ( Grand Traverse County residents) Tuition	$169.00 per contact hour
In-State ( other Michigan counties) Tuition	$334.00 per contact hour
Out-of-state Tuition	$445.00 per contact hour
International Tuition	$504.00 per contact hour
General Fee for all residencies for Culinary courses (CUL)	$23.00 per contact hour

Tier III Tuition - Courses in Maritime program (MDK, MNG, MNS)

Residency Status	Tuition Rate
In-District ( Grand Traverse County residents) Tuition	$510.00 per credit hour
In-State ( other Michigan counties) Tuition	$510.00 per credit hour
Out-of-state Tuition	$510.00 per credit hour
International Tuition	$560.00 per credit hour
Maritime Program Fee	$500.00 per semester (excludes Summer Semester)
General Fee for all residencies for Maritime courses	$23.00 per contact hour

Tier III Tuition - 300 level courses and above for all programs

Residency Status	Tuition Rate
In-District ( Grand Traverse County residents) Tuition	$510.00 per contact hour
In-State ( other Michigan counties) Tuition	$510.00 per contact hour
Out-of-state Tuition	$510.00 per contact hour
International Tuition	$560.00 per contact hour
General Fee – follows program tier above for other 300+ level courses

Additional Fees for all programs and residencies

Description	Fee
Course Fees: Charged for specific courses involving additional materials, laboratory supplies and/or network services provided by instructors. For Aviation flight fees, contact the Aviation Department.	Search the Schedule of Classes and select a class to view any fees
Health Service Fee: Paid fall and spring semesters by all students taking 6 or more contact hours. Includes services of a registered nurse, medical assistant, doctor, and reduced fees for some medications and lab tests. Students enrolled for less than 6 hours may also pay the fee and obtain services by calling (231) 995-1255. (Not charged to high school students)	$40 per semester

Updated 6/27/2023

Cost Of Attendance (Coa) Components And Calculation Explanations

Student-specific COA figures can be found in your NMC Self-Service Financial Aid Awards tab, broken down by which are usually billed directly by the college, and which are not billed by the college but are costs of attending college that students typically incur. Most components are estimated costs based on our system data and outside sources and applied based on the students’ program of study, course enrollment, and living arrangements.

You can also use the Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of your COA based on entering your planned program and enrollment and some information on your financial and family situation.

Full And Half-Time Students *

• Tuition and fees

  • Tuition and fees are initially calculated based on the average enrollment and cost of the tuition tier (see the tuition and fee chart) for the students’ program of study. Once enrolled, the tuition and fee component is adjusted to the estimated cost based on actual contact hours. This includes General, Health Service, and program fees.

• Books, course materials, supplies and equipment

  • These costs are estimated based on previous year data from our system. This includes bookstore purchases as well as course fees charged at registration for books, materials, supplies, and equipment.

• Living expenses: housing and food

  • Housing costs are initially based on the students' response to living plans on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), whether on-campus or off-campus. If students are charged on their student account for housing, the cost shifts to the on-campus estimate. The estimated amount for on-campus housing is based on the prior-year median charges, adjusted for any current-year increases. The off-campus estimates are based on multiple data sources of area-specific fair market rental costs, including HUDuser.gov. If living with relatives, housing costs are cut in half.
  • Food costs for students in East Hall on-campus housing, costs are estimated for 3 meals a day at the NMC Food Service; For students in North Hall (with kitchens) or off-campus, food costs are based on multiple data sources of area-specific food costs, including USDA.

• Transportation

  • Transportation costs are estimated based on students’ residency and living arrangements. They include the cost of getting to class, work, and traveling home. The amounts for car travel are based on the most recent IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate.

• Miscellaneous personal expenses

  • Personal expense estimates are based on the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey on Consumer Expenses.

• Federal student loan fees

  • Loan fees are estimated based on the current rate of federal loan fees for the student. If parent loans are taken, the loan fees are adjusted to cover the actual cost on the loan origination of that loan.

• Professional licensure, certification

  • The cost of professional licensure or certification is estimated from information provided by the academic area of the students’ program of study. These are only included if:
  • The credential is needed for the NMC program of study or to work in the field that the program prepares students for
  • The cost will be incurred while the student is enrolled in the program, even if the actual test is not until after the end of the program
  • The cost is not already included in another component, such as books and supplies or fees.

* Some components are removed for students in these situations:

• For students enrolled less than half-time (6 credits), the living expenses and miscellaneous personal expenses are not included.
• For students receiving veterans benefits that include a housing allowance, living expenses are removed.
• If students are enrolled in modules that do not span the entire term, living expenses and transportation expenses are adjusted proportional to the weeks of enrollment.

COA component estimates are updated regularly throughout the enrollment period for a term based on program, enrollment and other changes. At the time of Pell recalculation date, prior to disbursement, COA is locked in for the semester and can only be adjusted by appeal.

What If My Costs Are Higher Than Those Listed For Components In My COA?

Review the Cost of Attendance appeal process here.

Additional Components That Can Be Added Through An Appeal

• Dependent care
• Disability-related expenses
• Study abroad expenses
• Cooperative education costs
• Personal computers

Review the Cost of Attendance appeal process here.