Northeastern Illinois University vs. Northern Michigan University

Should I go to Northeastern Illinois University or Northern Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern Illinois University or Northern Michigan University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Michigan Tech Michigan State CMU WMU GVSU EIU Northern Illinois Eastern Michigan University UIC North Park University ISU CSU
Northeastern Illinois University vs. Northern Michigan University comparison
Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
Location Chicago, IL Marquette, MI
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 5,756 6,970
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu nmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $11,796
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $17,292
Room & Board $10,742 $11,910
Avg Net Price $14,262 $17,346
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $9,385
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 100%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 6,217
Admitted 2,886 4,386
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 70.5%
Enrolled % 17.9% 32.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21
SAT Range 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
Graduation Rate 23% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $22,292
Median Loan Payment $149 $230

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
% Men 39% 40%
% Women 61% 60%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 85%
% Black 10% 2%
% Hispanic 37% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
% In-State 97% 74%
% Out-of-State 2% 25%

Campus

Northeastern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Michigan University is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (6,970 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or Northern Michigan University?

  • Northern Michigan University is 16.9% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($11,796.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.7% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Northern Michigan University ($20,182.00 vs. $17,292.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Northern Michigan University ($14,262 vs. $17,346)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 10.9% lower than costs at Northern Michigan University ($10,742 vs. $11,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Michigan University than Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 61.4% larger than aid received Northern Michigan University ($15,143 vs. $9,385)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University or Northern Michigan University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northern Michigan University or Northeastern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Michigan University (1011) is 141 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Northern Michigan University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Michigan University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Northern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (70.5%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or Northern Michigan University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northern Michigan University and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Michigan University is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (48% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $1,600 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $38,400)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $7,792 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Michigan University graduates. ($14,500 vs. $22,292)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $81 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Michigan University graduates. ($149 vs. $230)
  • More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/