Northern Michigan University vs. SAU

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

Overview

Northern Michigan University SAU
Location Marquette, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 6,970 2,396
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nmu.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Michigan University SAU
Tuition (In State) $11,796 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $17,292 $31,020
Room & Board $11,910 $10,652
Avg Net Price $17,346 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $9,385 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Northern Michigan University SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,217 2,312
Admitted 4,386 1,094
Acceptance Rate 70.5% 47.3%
Enrolled % 32.3% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 970/1135
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Northern Michigan University SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

Northern Michigan University SAU
Graduation Rate 48% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,292 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $230 $248

Diversity

Northern Michigan University SAU
% Men 40% 23%
% Women 60% 77%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 77%
% Black 2% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Northern Michigan University SAU
% In-State 74% 83%
% Out-of-State 25% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Michigan University is larger than than SAU based on total student enrollment (6,970 students vs. 2,396 students)

Northern Michigan University vs. SAU Cost Comparison

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

  • Spring Arbor University is 163% more expensive to attend than Northern Michigan University for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $11,796.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 79.4% higher at SAU than Northern Michigan University ($31,020.00 vs. $17,292.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Michigan University than SAU ($17,346 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 11.8% lower than costs at Northern Michigan University ($10,652 vs. $11,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Michigan University than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 120.3% larger than aid received Northern Michigan University ($20,677 vs. $9,385)

Northern Michigan University vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 62 points higher than at Northern Michigan University (1011)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northern Michigan University (22)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33)
  • Northern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (70.5%) than SAU (47.3%)

Northern Michigan University vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Michigan University or SAU? 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 SAU and Northern Michigan University.

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Northern Michigan University (56% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn on average $4,200 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $38,400)
  • Northern Michigan University students graduate with a $1,751 lower median federal student loan debt than SAU graduates. ($22,292 vs. $24,043)
  • Northern Michigan University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than SAU graduates. ($230 vs. $248)
  • More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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