Northern Illinois vs. Northern Michigan University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Northern Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois 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
Northern Illinois University vs. Northern Michigan University comparison
Northern Illinois University Northern Michigan University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Northern Michigan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Northern Illinois Northern Michigan University
Location Dekalb, IL Marquette, MI
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 15,649 6,970
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #454
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu nmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Northern Michigan University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $11,796
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $17,292
Room & Board $11,420 $11,910
Avg Net Price $13,884 $17,346
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $9,385
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Northern Illinois Northern Michigan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 6,217
Admitted 18,348 4,386
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 70.5%
Enrolled % 13.3% 32.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 940/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Northern Illinois Northern Michigan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Northern Michigan University
Graduation Rate 56% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $22,292
Median Loan Payment $246 $230

Diversity

Northern Illinois Northern Michigan University
% Men 46% 40%
% Women 54% 60%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 85%
% Black 16% 2%
% Hispanic 15% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Northern Illinois Northern Michigan University
% In-State 93% 74%
% Out-of-State 5% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 6,970 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern Michigan University is 20.5% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($11,796.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 76.6% higher at Northern Michigan University than Northern Illinois University ($17,292.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Northern Michigan University ($13,884 vs. $17,346)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 4.3% lower than costs at Northern Michigan University ($11,420 vs. $11,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Michigan University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 33.7% larger than aid received Northern Michigan University ($12,552 vs. $9,385)

Northern Illinois vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 18 points higher than at Northern Michigan University (1011)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Northern Michigan University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Michigan University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than Northern Michigan University (70.5%)

Northern Illinois vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Northern Michigan University (56% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $9,200 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $38,400)
  • Northern Michigan University students graduate with a $1,567 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($22,292 vs. $23,859)
  • Northern Michigan University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($230 vs. $246)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 56%)

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