Northern Michigan University vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Michigan University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (7,409 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Michigan University 18:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Northern Michigan University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Northern Michigan University ($11,546 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 7% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($12,340 vs. $13,274).
• Northern Michigan University is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $1,347 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern Michigan University (about $10,677 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $19,773.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Northern Michigan University students ($13,512 vs. $12,012).

Northern Michigan University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Michigan University or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Northern Michigan University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSaginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSaginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Michigan University - Test-free; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).
• Northern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Northern Michigan University vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Northern Michigan University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State 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).

• Northern Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $4,708 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($22,292 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University 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.