Northern Michigan University vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (10,049 students vs. 7,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Michigan University 18:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

Northern Michigan University vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 University of Wisconsin Eau Claire than Northern Michigan University ($15,151 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 32.4% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($8,978 vs. $13,274).
• Northern Michigan University is 48.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $4,635 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Northern Michigan University than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (about $545 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $19,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (94% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 112.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($12,012 vs. $5,663).

Northern Michigan University vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Michigan University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Northern Michigan University.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Michigan University - Test-free; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• 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).
• Northern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than UW-Eau Claire (82.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Northern Michigan University vs. 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire.

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

How do outcomes compare for Northern Michigan University and UW-Eau Claire? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Northern Michigan University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $958 lower median loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($22,292 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.