UM-Dearborn vs. Northern Michigan University

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

UM-Dearborn Northern Michigan University
Location Dearborn, MI Marquette, MI
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 8,035 7,197
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #405
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umich.edu nmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UM-Dearborn Northern Michigan University
Tuition (In State) $14,544 $12,408
Tuition (Out of State) $30,960 $17,904
Room & Board $10,803 $12,752
Avg Net Price $12,798 $17,937
Avg Grant Aid $9,552 $9,008
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 92%

Admission

UM-Dearborn Northern Michigan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,373 6,922
Admitted 7,254 4,842
Acceptance Rate 58.6% 70%
Enrolled % 15.9% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 23/30
SAT Range 990/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2026

Academics

UM-Dearborn Northern Michigan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

UM-Dearborn Northern Michigan University
Graduation Rate 49% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $22,292
Median Loan Payment $266 $230

Diversity

UM-Dearborn Northern Michigan University
% Men 15% 2%
% Women 9% 6%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 85%
% Black 9% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

UM-Dearborn Northern Michigan University
% In-State 93% 74%
% Out-of-State 3% 24%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Michigan Dearborn is larger than than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (8,035 students vs. 7,197 students)

UM-Dearborn vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM-Dearborn or Northern Michigan University?

  • University of Michigan Dearborn is 17.2% more expensive to attend than Northern Michigan University for in-state tuition ($14,544.00 vs. $12,408.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 72.9% higher at UM-Dearborn than Northern Michigan University ($30,960.00 vs. $17,904.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Michigan Dearborn than Northern Michigan University ($12,798 vs. $17,937)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 18% lower than costs at Northern Michigan University ($10,803 vs. $12,752)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than Northern Michigan University (96% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students is 6% larger than aid received Northern Michigan University ($9,552 vs. $9,008)

UM-Dearborn vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Michigan Dearborn (1105) is 94 points higher than at Northern Michigan University (1011)
  • Incoming UM-Dearborn students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northern Michigan University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33)
  • Northern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than UM-Dearborn (58.6%)

UM-Dearborn vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UM-Dearborn or Northern Michigan University? 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 Northern Michigan University and UM-Dearborn.

  • The graduation rate at UM-Dearborn is higher than Northern Michigan University (49% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from University of Michigan Dearborn earn on average $14,400 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($52,800 vs. $38,400)
  • Northern Michigan University students graduate with a $3,458 lower median federal student loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates. ($22,292 vs. $25,750)
  • Northern Michigan University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than UM-Dearborn graduates. ($230 vs. $266)
  • More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

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