Northern Marianas College
Saipan, MP 96950-1250
About Northern Marianas College
Northern Marianas College is a public community college in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, enrolling about 1,225 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $2,789 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $4,038. Student demographics in federal data include Asian (41.0%) and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (35.4%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key findings
- Northern Marianas College charges 27% below the national public median tuition ($4,038).
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 40.74%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $27,836.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Northern Marianas College is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 2395% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Marianas College | $4,038 | $2,789 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
Average net price is 31% below published tuition at Northern Marianas College
Key findings
- Northern Marianas College's average net price ($2,789) is 31% below published tuition ($4,038).
- Northern Marianas College charges 27% below the national public median tuition ($4,038).
Northern Marianas College tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $4,038
Finding Northern Marianas College charges 27% below the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $4,038. That is 27% below the national public median ($5,512). Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 0.3×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Northern Marianas College versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Northern Marianas College versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Northern Marianas College is $2,789.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $2,789 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). Versus town campuses, net price runs $12,182 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway Northern Marianas College’s published tuition substantially overstates typical undergraduate cost: average net price is about 31% lower after grants and scholarships.
Northern Marianas College: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Northern Marianas College—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$4,038
Out-of-state tuition
$5,520
Avg. net price
$2,789
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $2,383 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $1,982 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $4,702 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $6,429 |
| $110,001+ | $4,014 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $16,152. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Northern Marianas College is known for
Top program completions
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies88
- Business Administration and Management, General77
- Education, General28
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse27
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration16
See earnings & programs for more.
Is Northern Marianas College a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Northern Marianas College is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Northern Marianas College.
Campus
Location
Saipan, MP
City / state
- ZIP
- 96950-1250
- NCES locale
- Town remote
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is about 0.2× the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Outlying Areas
- Carnegie
- Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers
Size
Enrollment
1,225
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,393
- Full-time share
- 72%
Student aid
Debt & aid
- Pell grant share
- 72.79%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Northern Marianas College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Northern Marianas College was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Northern Marianas College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $2,820 | $5,100 | $2,171 |
| 2014 | $2,820 | $5,100 | $1,919 |
| 2015 | $2,820 | $5,100 | $1,574 |
| 2016 | $4,038 | $5,520 | $2,352 |
| 2017 | $4,038 | $5,520 | $3,899 |
| 2018 | $4,038 | $5,520 | $2,367 |
| 2019 | $4,038 | $5,520 | $2,783 |
| 2020 | $4,038 | $5,520 | $2,021 |
| 2021 | $4,038 | $5,520 | $2,107 |
| 2022 | $4,038 | $5,520 | $2,128 |
| 2023 | $4,038 | $5,520 | $2,795 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Northern Marianas College reported total enrollment of about 1,225 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Asian (41.0%), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (35.4%), and Non-Resident Alien (9.4%). About 72.79% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 49.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
71.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Northern Marianas College in 2024 is 1,225 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,393 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
73.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
7.14% 100% Completion Time
40.74% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 7.14% of students graduating from Northern Marianas College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 39% male / 61% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 39% male / 61% female
- Education, General: 29% male / 71% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Northern Marianas College graduates earn a median of $27,836 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Northern Marianas College.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $27,836. Average net price used in cost models: $2,789.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Northern Marianas College graduates report median earnings of $27,836 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Northern Marianas College.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 9 programs by IPEDS completions (10 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Northern Marianas College.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Northern Marianas College graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Northern Marianas College—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$10.6M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Outlying Areas median 4.0× the median ($2.6M)
- U.S. median 0.40× the median ($26.4M)
- Outlying Areas median 2.7× the median ($3,664)
- U.S. median 0.83× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 50.0%
- Outlying Areas median 37.0 pp below median (87.0%)
- U.S. median 8.0 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $4,914
- Outlying Areas median 1.2× the median ($4,084)
- U.S. median 0.65× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $2,013
- Outlying Areas median 0.57× the median ($3,501)
- U.S. median 0.28× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Northern Marianas College at a glance
Northern Marianas College
Northern Marianas College is a public institution in Saipan, MP, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal StudiesBusiness Administration and Management, GeneralEducation, General
- Largest enrollment groups
- Asian41.0%Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander35.4%Non-Resident Alien9.4%
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Northern Marianas College located?
Northern Marianas College is located in Saipan, MP.
What is Northern Marianas College's tuition?
Northern Marianas College tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $4,038 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $2,789 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Northern Marianas College cost?
Reported tuition is $4,038 and average net price is $2,789 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $6,800 annually.
Why is Northern Marianas College's net price so much lower than tuition?
At Northern Marianas College, published tuition is $4,038 while average net price is $2,789—about 31% lower. Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid (College Scorecard). Institutional aid therefore compresses sticker price into a lower typical undergraduate cost signal. The campus average still masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average. EDsmart Data treats the sticker–net gap as an analytical finding, not advice about individual aid offers.
What explains Northern Marianas College's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($2,789), completion (40.7% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($27,836). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Northern Marianas College?
Northern Marianas College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,393 students, Asian (41.0%), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (35.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Northern Marianas College?
About 49.8% of students at Northern Marianas College are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Northern Marianas College earn?
Median earnings are $21,925 six years after entry and $27,836 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Northern Marianas College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 40.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
Is Northern Marianas College public or private?
Northern Marianas College is a public institution located in Saipan, MP.
Is Northern Marianas College an HBCU?
No. Northern Marianas College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Northern Marianas College a tribal college?
No. Northern Marianas College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Northern Mariana Islands college profile
- Northern Mariana Islands college costs
- Northern Mariana Islands colleges by ROI
- Northern Mariana Islands trade schools profile
- Outlying Areas regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Northern Mariana Islands
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.