Northern Michigan University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Deciding between Northern Michigan University and University of Wisconsin River Falls? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Northern Michigan University
University of Wisconsin River Falls

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI
  • Setting
  • Northern Michigan University Remote Town
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northern Michigan University 7,409
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,243
  • Type
  • Northern Michigan University Public 4 Year
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls #768
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Northern Michigan University -
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls -
  • Status
  • Northern Michigan University Non-profit
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Non-profit
  • Website
  • Northern Michigan University nmu.edu
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls uwrf.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Northern Michigan University $14,277
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $9,008
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Northern Michigan University $19,773
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $17,470
  • Room & Board
  • Northern Michigan University $13,274
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $7,982
  • Average Net Price
  • Northern Michigan University $15,707
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $14,769
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Northern Michigan University $12,012
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $4,176
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Northern Michigan University 94%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Northern Michigan University Calculate
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Calculate
  • Applied
  • Northern Michigan University 12,204
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,519
  • Admitted
  • Northern Michigan University 10,254
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 4,510
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Northern Michigan University 84%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Northern Michigan University 15.3%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 25.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Northern Michigan University 3.33
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Northern Michigan University B+
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Northern Michigan University Unavailable
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • ACT Range
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Northern Michigan University Test-free
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Northern Michigan University 18:1
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Northern Michigan University
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
    • Agriculture (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Northern Michigan University 48%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Northern Michigan University $38,400
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $44,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Northern Michigan University 56%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Northern Michigan University $22,292
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $22,725
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Northern Michigan University $230
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $234

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Northern Michigan University 38%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 37%
  • % Women
  • Northern Michigan University 62%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Northern Michigan University Very Low
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Northern Michigan University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • % White
  • Northern Michigan University 85%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 89%
  • % Asian
  • Northern Michigan University 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Black
  • Northern Michigan University 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Northern Michigan University 3%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Native American
  • Northern Michigan University 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Northern Michigan University 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Northern Michigan University 3%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % International
  • Northern Michigan University 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Northern Michigan University 2%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Northern Michigan University 73%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 47%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Northern Michigan University 26%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 52%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Northern Michigan University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Northern Michigan University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Meal Plan
  • Northern Michigan University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Northern Michigan University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Northern Michigan University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Learn More
  • Northern Michigan University Details
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Details

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Michigan University is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (7,409 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northern Michigan University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 River Falls than Northern Michigan University ($14,769 vs. $15,707).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 39.9% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($7,982 vs. $13,274).
  • Northern Michigan University is 58.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $5,269 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $9,008.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at Northern Michigan University than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $2,303 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $17,470.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (94% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 187.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($12,012 vs. $4,176).

Northern Michigan University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Michigan University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Northern Michigan University.

  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Michigan University - Test-free; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).
  • Northern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (81.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Northern Michigan University vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Northern Michigan University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Michigan University and University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 River Falls's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Northern Michigan University's (48%).
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $433 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates ($22,292 vs. $22,725).
  • Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates ($230 vs. $234).
  • More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.