Northern Michigan University vs. CBC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI with Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia Basin College is larger than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (7,510 students vs. 7,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting); Columbia Basin College is in Pasco, WA (Small City setting).
• Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Michigan University 18:1; Columbia Basin College 20:1.

Northern Michigan University vs. CBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or CBC? 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 Columbia Basin College than Northern Michigan University ($10,656 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Basin College are 15.5% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($11,222 vs. $13,274).
• Northern Michigan University is 117.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $7,722 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.1% higher at Northern Michigan University than at Columbia Basin College (about $11,105 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at Columbia Basin College (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 63.1% larger than aid received by Columbia Basin College students ($12,012 vs. $7,367).

Northern Michigan University vs. CBC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Michigan University or CBC? 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 CBC and Northern Michigan University.

• Columbia Basin College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Michigan University - Test-free; CBC - Open admission.

Northern Michigan University vs. CBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Michigan University and CBC? 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).

• Graduates from Northern Michigan University earn a median of about $200 more per year than CBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $11,792 lower median loan debt than Northern Michigan University graduates ($10,500 vs. $22,292).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Michigan University graduates ($108 vs. $230).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 48%)

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.