PSC vs. Northern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 7,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Northern Michigan University is in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Northern Michigan University 18:1.

PSC vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Northern Michigan University? 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 Polk State College than Northern Michigan University ($10,011 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 8.2% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($12,186 vs. $13,274).
• Northern Michigan University is 430% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $11,583 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.4% higher at Northern Michigan University than at Polk State College (about $9,956 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at Polk State College (94% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 263.4% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($12,012 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; Northern Michigan University - Test-free.

PSC vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Northern Michigan University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $12,792 lower median loan debt than Northern Michigan University graduates ($9,500 vs. $22,292).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Michigan University graduates ($98 vs. $230).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 40%)

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.