Program Analysis
Graduates earn $31,386/yr, roughly in line with the $33,060 national median for Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic ten-year scenarios is just 4% — this field's hands-on core resists automation.
Median debt of $26,625 represents roughly 10 months of the $31,386 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #7 of 10 Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management programs, Northern Michigan University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.