Michigan State vs. Northern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 7,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Northern Michigan University is in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Michigan 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: Michigan State University 17:1; Northern Michigan University 18:1.

Michigan State vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State 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 Northern Michigan University than Michigan State ($15,707 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 5.3% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($12,564 vs. $13,274).
• Michigan State University is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Michigan University (about $2,181 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $14,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.7% higher at Michigan State than at Northern Michigan University (about $24,069 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $19,773.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at Michigan State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 23.2% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($12,012 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State 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 Michigan State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Northern Michigan University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Northern Michigan University (84%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 15.3% at Northern Michigan University.

Michigan State vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Northern Michigan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $21,600 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $3,192 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($22,292 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($230 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.