Northern Michigan University vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI with Wayne State College in Wayne, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Michigan University is larger than WSC based on total student enrollment (7,409 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Michigan University 18:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

Northern Michigan University vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or WSC? 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 WSC ($15,707 vs. $16,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State College are 23.6% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($10,142 vs. $13,274).
• Northern Michigan University is 73.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSC (about $6,061 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.7% higher at Northern Michigan University than at Wayne State College (about $11,557 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State College than at Northern Michigan University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 84.3% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($12,012 vs. $6,517).

Northern Michigan University vs. WSC Admissions comparison

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

• Wayne State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Michigan University - Test-free; WSC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman WSC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).

Northern Michigan University vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wayne State College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Northern Michigan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Wayne State College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State College graduates have a $2,242 lower median loan debt than Northern Michigan University graduates ($20,050 vs. $22,292).
• Among borrowers, WSC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Michigan University graduates ($207 vs. $230).
• More WSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.