Northern Michigan University vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 7,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Michigan University 18:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Northern Michigan University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or WMU? 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 WMU ($15,707 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 8.3% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($12,174 vs. $13,274).
• Western Michigan University is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Michigan University (about $975 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $14,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Northern Michigan University than at Western Michigan University (about $739 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University as at Western Michigan University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($12,012 vs. $11,048).

Northern Michigan University vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Michigan University - Test-free; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Northern Michigan University (84%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Northern Michigan University vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Northern Michigan University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Northern Michigan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $4,341 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($22,292 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($230 vs. $275).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 54%)

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.