ISU vs. Northern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 7,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); Northern Michigan University is in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; Northern Michigan University 18:1.

ISU vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Northern Michigan University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Idaho State University than Northern Michigan University ($12,174 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 40.6% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($7,882 vs. $13,274).
• Northern Michigan University is 65.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $5,667 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.2% higher at ISU than at Northern Michigan University (about $7,947 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $19,773.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at Idaho State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 30.3% larger than aid received by Idaho State University students ($12,012 vs. $9,217).

ISU vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Northern Michigan University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northern Michigan University and ISU.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; Northern Michigan University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).

ISU vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Northern Michigan University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Idaho State University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $658 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($22,292 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($230 vs. $237).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.