Northern Michigan University vs. UW-Eau Claire

Should I go to Northern Michigan University or University of Wisconsin Eau Claire? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Michigan University or UW-Eau Claire 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.

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Northern Michigan University vs. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire comparison
Northern Michigan University University of Wisconsin Eau Claire College 3 College 4
Northern Michigan University University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
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Overview

Northern Michigan University UW-Eau Claire
Location Marquette, MI Eau Claire, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 6,970 10,104
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #565
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nmu.edu uwec.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Michigan University UW-Eau Claire
Tuition (In State) $11,796 $7,361
Tuition (Out of State) $17,292 $16,074
Room & Board $11,910 $9,014
Avg Net Price $17,346 $15,000
Avg Grant Aid $9,385 $4,251
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 76%

Admission

Northern Michigan University UW-Eau Claire
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,217 10,403
Admitted 4,386 7,971
Acceptance Rate 70.5% 76.6%
Enrolled % 32.3% 26.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/26
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Northern Michigan University UW-Eau Claire
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Northern Michigan University UW-Eau Claire
Graduation Rate 48% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $47,900
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,292 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $230 $240

Diversity

Northern Michigan University UW-Eau Claire
% Men 40% 40%
% Women 60% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 89%
% Black 2% 1%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Northern Michigan University UW-Eau Claire
% In-State 74% 64%
% Out-of-State 25% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (10,104 students vs. 6,970 students)

Northern Michigan University vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or UW-Eau Claire?

  • Northern Michigan University is 60.2% more expensive to attend than UW-Eau Claire for in-state tuition ($11,796.00 vs. $7,361.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.6% higher at Northern Michigan University than University of Wisconsin Eau Claire ($17,292.00 vs. $16,074.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire than Northern Michigan University ($15,000 vs. $17,346)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 32.1% lower than costs at Northern Michigan University ($9,014 vs. $11,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Michigan University than University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (100% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 120.8% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Eau Claire ($9,385 vs. $4,251)

Northern Michigan University vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (1110) is 99 points higher than at Northern Michigan University (1011)
  • Incoming UW-Eau Claire students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northern Michigan University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33)
  • UW-Eau Claire has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Northern Michigan University (70.5%)

Northern Michigan University vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Michigan University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Northern Michigan University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-Eau Claire is higher than Northern Michigan University (65% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn on average $9,500 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($47,900 vs. $38,400)
  • Northern Michigan University students graduate with a $958 lower median federal student loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates. ($22,292 vs. $23,250)
  • Northern Michigan University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than UW-Eau Claire graduates. ($230 vs. $240)
  • More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 56%)

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