Northern Michigan University vs. WMU

Should I go to Northern Michigan University or Western Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Michigan University or WMU 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. Western Michigan University comparison
Northern Michigan University Western Michigan University College 3 College 4
Northern Michigan University Western Michigan University
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Overview

Northern Michigan University WMU
Location Marquette, MI Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 6,970 17,000
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #634
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nmu.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Michigan University WMU
Tuition (In State) $11,796 $14,523
Tuition (Out of State) $17,292 $18,154
Room & Board $11,910 $11,102
Avg Net Price $17,346 $20,030
Avg Grant Aid $9,385 $6,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Northern Michigan University WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,217 20,501
Admitted 4,386 17,334
Acceptance Rate 70.5% 84.6%
Enrolled % 32.3% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27
SAT Range 990/1220
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Northern Michigan University WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

Northern Michigan University WMU
Graduation Rate 48% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,292 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $230 $275

Diversity

Northern Michigan University WMU
% Men 40% 47%
% Women 60% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 72%
% Black 2% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Northern Michigan University WMU
% In-State 74% 79%
% Out-of-State 25% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 6,970 students)

Northern Michigan University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Michigan University or WMU?

  • Western Michigan University is 23.1% more expensive to attend than Northern Michigan University for in-state tuition ($14,523.00 vs. $11,796.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5% higher at WMU than Northern Michigan University ($18,154.00 vs. $17,292.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Michigan University than WMU ($17,346 vs. $20,030)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 7.3% lower than costs at Northern Michigan University ($11,102 vs. $11,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Michigan University than Western Michigan University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 37.8% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($9,385 vs. $6,813)

Northern Michigan University vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Michigan University (1030) is 19 points higher than at Northern Michigan University (1011)
  • Incoming Northern Michigan University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WMU (22)
  • 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 (70.5%)

Northern Michigan University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Michigan University or WMU? 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 WMU and Northern Michigan University.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Northern Michigan University (56% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $10,500 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $38,400)
  • Northern Michigan University students graduate with a $4,341 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($22,292 vs. $26,633)
  • Northern Michigan University graduates are paying $45 less per month on federal student loans 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/