Northwood University and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) have announced a new education partnership aimed at expanding access to undergraduate and graduate degree programs for America’s franchised new-car and truck dealers, their employees, and their families.
The partnership creates a framework for tuition discounts and scholarships designed to support leadership development in the automotive retail industry, one of the nation’s largest and most economically significant sectors.
Under the agreement, NADA dealer members may enroll in Northwood Online undergraduate programs at a discounted tuition rate of $350 per credit hour for the 2026–27 academic year. Spouses and dependents of eligible NADA associates also qualify for the same online undergraduate benefit.
At the graduate level, Northwood’s DeVos Graduate School will offer:
- 20% tuition scholarships for MBA programs
- Discounted per-credit-hour tuition for Master of Science programs
- Up to $15,000 in Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) scholarships
The graduate-level benefits also extend to eligible spouses and dependents.
Northwood has also established the Premier Education Partnership Scholarship for dependents of NADA dealer members who enroll in on-campus programs in Midland, Michigan. Awards may total up to $36,000 over four years, or $2,000 per year for students receiving other institutional aid, subject to eligibility and availability of funds.
“This partnership is about more than tuition assistance — it’s about strengthening the leadership pipeline for an industry that is central to the American economy,” said Dr. Matthew Bennett, vice president of enrollment, strategic partnerships, and the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies (CAMS) at Northwood University. “NADA represents the backbone of the franchised dealership network, and Northwood exists to develop free-enterprise leaders who drive economic and social progress.”
Added Bennett: “Even as AI reshapes the economy, automotive retail remains a people-driven, capital-intensive, service-based industry that cannot be automated away — and that makes leadership development more important than ever.”
“NADA exists to serve and represent America’s franchised new-car and truck dealers, their management, and their employees,” stated Vice President of Education and Training Camron Wilson. “This partnership with Northwood University reflects our shared commitment to supporting dealership professionals through education and leadership development.”
Northwood University, based in Midland, Michigan, has long focused on automotive and mobility business education and works closely with franchised dealers and manufacturers through academic programs and industry partnerships.
“All of our automotive programs and our student-led auto show are built on one idea: learning by doing,” stated Dr. Dave Oventhal, Subaru of New England professor of automotive strategy and director of the CAMS Research Institute at Northwood University. “That is only possible because of the extraordinary support of dealers, manufacturers, and partners like NADA. This partnership reflects decades of shared values and mutual investment in the future of automotive leadership.”
The two organizations will work together to promote the education benefits to eligible dealer members and their families as part of a broader effort to support workforce development in automotive retail.
“We appreciate our collaboration with NADA and the mutual growth it represents,” noted Associate Professor and Automotive Industry Chair Elgie Bright. “Together, we are not just preparing people for careers — we are preparing leaders who understand that mobility creates opportunity, and opportunity creates freedom.”
To learn more about the new partnership, visit https://online.northwood.edu/nada/.
