Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont · Private Nonprofit · 74.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 71/100 · Fair Value
Norwich University, a private nonprofit (and the nation's oldest private military college) in Northfield, VT, scores 71 on the ROI index in Fair Value tier -- one of the strongest profiles in this batch. Sticker tuition is $49,740 with a net price of $22,257, reflecting heavy aid discounting. Median earnings at six years are $42,400, rising to $65,575 at 10 years -- the highest 10-year figure in this batch. Payback period is 7.5 years (one of the best in the batch), debt-to-earnings is 0.59 against $25,000 median debt, completion rate is 60.2%, and three-year repayment rate is 88.9% -- exceptional. Earnings premium is 34.3%. Enrollment is 2,428 with a 24% Pell rate. Norwich's military-college identity drives a distinctive program mix: information science (B+ grade, $98K first-year), national-security studies, criminal justice, mechanical engineering, and intelligence operations all show strong outcomes. Career placement into defense, intelligence, and federal service is a real differentiator that the data captures clearly.
Norwich University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $49,740/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $49,740/yr |
| Average net price | $22,257/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $89,028 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,575 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 60.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,428 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Norwich University is $49,740/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,257/year, or roughly $89,028 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,610/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,854/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $65,575 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,610 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,164 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,332 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,046 |
| $110,001+ | $27,854 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Households at $0-$30,000 pay $15,610 net -- a striking discount from the $49K sticker -- and $30,001-$48,000 pays $16,164. These are excellent prices for a private nonprofit, and against $42,400 six-year earnings the math clears comfortably. Norwich's aid is genuinely generous for low-income families.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
$48,001-$75,000 pays $17,332, $75,001-$110,000 pays $22,046 -- clean progressive curve. Middle-income families see real value, particularly given the strong 10-year earnings trajectory and federal-service placement opportunities.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $27,854 -- the top bracket. Total 4-year cost about $111,000 against $65,575 ten-year earnings produces a 1.7x ratio that is workable. For high-income military-bound families, Norwich is genuinely competitive with the federal service academies on cost-per-outcome.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Norwich University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $70,075 | C |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | $85,184 | A |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $90,628 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $73,203 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $86,054 | B |
| Information Science | $98,551 | B+ |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $68,004 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,477 | B |
| Construction Management | $76,175 | C |
| Psychology | $53,775 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations
Intelligence Operations has 111 graduates -- the largest program -- with $73,947 first-year earnings, $85,184 at four years, $8,333 median debt, 0.113 debt-to-earnings, and an A ROI grade. The exceptionally low debt ($8K, well below the school median) reflects substantial ROTC scholarships. Career paths run through DoD, the intelligence community, and federal contractors. This is the flagship Norwich pathway and one of the strongest single programs in any school in this batch.
Information Science
Information Science has 40 graduates, $98,551 first-year earnings, no four-year earnings reported, $24,625 median debt, 0.25 debt-to-earnings, and a B+ ROI grade. The first-year earnings of $98K are exceptional, reflecting cybersecurity and defense-IT placement. Career paths are concentrated in federal service and contractor roles. A second flagship program at Norwich.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing has 41 graduates, $74,283 first-year earnings, $86,054 at four years, $27,000 median debt, 0.363 debt-to-earnings, and a B ROI grade. Strong New England nursing wages with manageable debt. Career paths run through Vermont and broader New England hospital systems. Solid B-grade outcome.
Computer/Information Technology Administration
Computer/IT Administration has 54 graduates, $60,988 first-year earnings, $90,628 at four years, $26,399 median debt, 0.433 debt-to-earnings, and a B ROI grade. Strong four-year earnings growth (49%). Career paths include defense IT, network security, and federal contracting. A reliable B-grade program.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice has 117 graduates -- a large cohort reflecting Norwich's federal-service pipeline -- with $43,523 first-year earnings, $70,075 at four years, $26,000 median debt, 0.597 debt-to-earnings, and a C ROI grade. Strong four-year growth (61%) reflects placement into federal law enforcement and intelligence-adjacent roles -- a Norwich differentiator over typical criminal-justice programs.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 85.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 88.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 82.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 74.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 520-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-650 |
| Enrollment | 2,428 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,275 |
Admission rate is 74.4%, with SAT mid-range 520-670 math, 540-650 reading, and ACT scores not reported. These describe well-prepared students with significant academic spread -- the wide SAT band reflects the mix of ROTC-track and civilian-track applicants. The 60.2% completion rate is mid-pack; military-track persistence is generally high, while civilian-track persistence varies. Selectivity is meaningful but accommodates students across a broad preparation range.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peer institutions include Bennington College, Champlain College, California Lutheran University, Holy Family University, and University of Mary. Bennington and Champlain are Vermont peers but with very different identities (arts/tech-focused). Cal Lutheran and Holy Family are functional small-private peers. Mary (ND) is a Midwest small private. Norwich's 71 score is well above all of these academic peers; the closest functional comparison would be other senior military colleges (VMI, Citadel, Texas A&M Corps), which the algorithm doesn't include here.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich University (this school) | 71 | $22,257 | $65,575 |
| University of Mary | 76 | $17,770 | $60,909 |
| Holy Family University | 73 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| California Lutheran University | 71 | $30,109 | $68,712 |
| Champlain College | 49 | $35,860 | $58,386 |
| Bennington College | 26 | $30,947 | $38,289 |
Who Thrives Here
Fits students pursuing military, intelligence, or federal-service careers, particularly those entering the Corps of Cadets program or ROTC-track placements. Enrollment of 2,428 is small-mid; 24% Pell rate is moderate. Outcomes are exceptionally strong for the intelligence operations program (A grade, $74K first-year), information science, and engineering paths. The school's value proposition is the unique military-academic blend and the federal-employment placement pipeline; for civilian-track students the price-to-outcome math also clears thanks to the heavy aid discounting.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Norwich University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $22,257 per year leads to $89,028 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $65,575 a decade out. The payback period of 7.5 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $25,000 against $65,575 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.