Northwood University-Michigan vs. WSU

Should I go to Northwood University Michigan or Wayne State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwood University-Michigan or WSU 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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Northwood University Michigan vs. Wayne State University comparison
Northwood University Michigan Wayne State University College 3 College 4
Northwood University Michigan Wayne State University
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Overview

 Northwood University-Michigan WSU
Location Midland, MI Detroit, MI
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 2,246 23,630
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #511 #582
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northwood.edu wayne.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwood University-Michigan WSU
Tuition (In State) $30,020 $12,933
Tuition (Out of State) $30,020 $29,622
Room & Board $12,120 $11,321
Avg Net Price $24,616 $15,347
Avg Grant Aid $20,925 $10,605
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 96%

Admission

 Northwood University-Michigan WSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,368 14,002
Admitted 1,090 10,547
Acceptance Rate 79.7% 75.3%
Enrolled % 22.7% 24.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 21/28
SAT Range 950/1160 1040/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Northwood University-Michigan WSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (93%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)
  • Health Professions (1%)
  • Communication (1%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

 Northwood University-Michigan WSU
Graduation Rate 53% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,500 $51,000
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,775 $22,258
Median Loan Payment $225 $230

Diversity

 Northwood University-Michigan WSU
% Men 61% 40%
% Women 39% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 57%
% Black 9% 19%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 13% 5%

Students

 Northwood University-Michigan WSU
% In-State 83% 93%
% Out-of-State 15% 3%

Campus

 Northwood University-Michigan WSU
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

  • Wayne State University is larger than than Northwood University-Michigan based on total student enrollment (23,630 students vs. 2,246 students)

Northwood University-Michigan vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwood University-Michigan or WSU?

  • Northwood University Michigan is 132.1% more expensive to attend than WSU for in-state tuition ($30,020.00 vs. $12,933.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.3% higher at Northwood University-Michigan than Wayne State University ($30,020.00 vs. $29,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wayne State University than Northwood University-Michigan ($15,347 vs. $24,616)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 7.1% lower than costs at Northwood University Michigan ($11,321 vs. $12,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwood University Michigan than Wayne State University (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwood University Michigan students is 97.3% larger than aid received Wayne State University ($20,925 vs. $10,605)

Northwood University-Michigan vs. WSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wayne State University (1070) is 44 points higher than at Northwood University-Michigan (1026)
  • Incoming WSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northwood University-Michigan (22)
  • Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Northwood University-Michigan (3.41)
  • Northwood University-Michigan has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than WSU (75.3%)

Northwood University-Michigan vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwood University-Michigan or WSU? 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 WSU and Northwood University-Michigan.

  • The graduation rate at Northwood University-Michigan is higher than Wayne State University (53% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Wayne State University earn on average $500 more per year than Northwood University-Michigan graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $50,500)
  • Northwood University Michigan students graduate with a $483 lower median federal student loan debt than WSU graduates. ($21,775 vs. $22,258)
  • Northwood University-Michigan graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than WSU graduates. ($225 vs. $230)
  • More Northwood University-Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/