Northern Michigan University vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Michigan University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (7,409 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Michigan University 18:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Northern Michigan University vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or SAU? 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 Northern Michigan University than SAU ($15,707 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 13.8% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($11,440 vs. $13,274).
• Spring Arbor University is 138.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Michigan University (about $19,737 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $14,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72% higher at SAU than at Northern Michigan University (about $14,241 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $19,773.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Northern Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 98.8% larger than aid received by Northern Michigan University students ($23,877 vs. $12,012).

Northern Michigan University vs. SAU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSpring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Michigan University - Test-free; SAU - Test optional.
• 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 (84%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Northern Michigan University vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Northern Michigan University vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Northern Michigan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $1,751 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($22,292 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.