Lake Superior State University vs. Northern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste Marie, MI with Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Michigan University is larger than Lake Superior State University based on total student enrollment (7,409 students vs. 1,567 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Superior State University is located in Sault Ste Marie, MI (Remote Town setting); Northern Michigan University is in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Lake Superior 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: Lake Superior State University 13:1; Northern Michigan University 18:1.

Lake Superior State University vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Superior State University 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 Lake Superior State University than Northern Michigan University ($12,339 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Superior State University are 13.7% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($11,459 vs. $13,274).
• Lake Superior State University is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Michigan University (about $613 more per year; $14,890.00 vs. $14,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at Northern Michigan University than at Lake Superior State University (about $4,883 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $14,890.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at Lake Superior State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Superior State University students is 21.8% larger than aid received by Northern Michigan University students ($14,632 vs. $12,012).

Lake Superior State University vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Superior State University 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 Lake Superior State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Superior State University 1000/1225.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Superior State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Superior State University - Not reported; Northern Michigan University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Northern Michigan University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Lake Superior State University (3.2).

Lake Superior State University vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Superior State University 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 Lake Superior State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Lake Superior State University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $958 lower median loan debt than Lake Superior State University graduates ($22,292 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Superior State University graduates ($230 vs. $240).
• More Lake Superior State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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.