Northern Michigan University is 9.5 miles from Sands Township
No college sits inside Sands Township’s boundary, but Northern Michigan University’s campus in Marquette, with 6,360 students on campus, is 9.5 miles from the center of town, and Bay de Noc Community College is 48.1 miles away in Escanaba. About 3% of Sands Township’s residents are enrolled in college, below Michigan (6%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Sands Township. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Sands Township
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Sands Township
It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Sands Township.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $75–110k, where Sands Township’s median household income ($87,443) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Sands Township: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Sands Township
Is Sands Township a college town?
No. About 3 of every 100 Sands Township residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Michigan (6). The nearest campus, Northern Michigan University, is 9.5 miles away in Marquette.
What colleges are near Sands Township?
Within 15 miles: Northern Michigan University (9.5 miles, 6,360 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Sands Township, and what does it cost?
Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba, 48.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,712 a year for Michigan residents; the federal net price, $11,949, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Northern Michigan University cost if we live in Michigan?
Tuition and fees are $14,277 a year in-state and $19,773 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,697 (under $30,000 income) to $22,268 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Sands Township. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →