Northern Michigan University vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 7,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Michigan University 18:1; Oakland University 17:1.

Northern Michigan University vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than Northern Michigan University ($12,208 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 17.6% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($10,932 vs. $13,274).
• Oakland University is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Michigan University (about $985 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $14,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at Oakland than at Northern Michigan University (about $3,415 more per year; $23,188.00 vs. $19,773.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University as at Oakland University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Northern Michigan University students ($12,988 vs. $12,012).

Northern Michigan University vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsOakland University 1030/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Michigan University - Test-free; Oakland - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Northern Michigan University (84%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Northern Michigan University vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

Northern Michigan University vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Michigan University and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $2,708 lower median loan debt than Oakland graduates ($22,292 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 51%)

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.