Head-to-head comparison
Northwood University vs Universal Technical Institute-Canton: which has better ROI?
Option A Midland, MI
Northwood University
- Net price / year
- $27,232
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,075
- Payback
- 7.4 yrs
Option B Canton, MI
Universal Technical Institute-Canton
- Net price / year
- $22,985
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,575
- Payback
- 6.5 yrs
Universal Technical Institute-Canton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,940 in 6.5 years versus 7.4 years at Northwood University, on median earnings of $62,575 vs $63,075 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northwood University | Universal Technical Institute-Canton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,232 | $22,985 |
| Total net cost | $108,928 | $91,940 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,075 | $62,575 |
| Median debt | $20,842 | $12,801 |
| Payback | 7.4 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,372 | $192,360 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton?
Universal Technical Institute-Canton, at $22,985 a year after aid versus $27,232 — a gap of $4,247 a year, or $16,988 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton graduates earn more?
Northwood University graduates report a median $63,075 ten years after entry, $500 more than the $62,575 at Universal Technical Institute-Canton. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Northwood University or Universal Technical Institute-Canton?
Universal Technical Institute-Canton: its completers carry a median $12,801 in federal loans versus $20,842 at Northwood University, a difference of $8,041. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute-Canton, against 63% at Northwood University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.