University of West Alabama vs. Northern Michigan University

Should I go to University of West Alabama or Northern Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of West Alabama 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of West Alabama vs. Northern Michigan University comparison
University of West Alabama Northern Michigan University College 3 College 4
Northern Michigan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of West Alabama Northern Michigan University
Location Livingston, AL Marquette, MI
Setting Remote Rural Remote Town
Enrollment 5,860 6,970
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu nmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama Northern Michigan University
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $11,796
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $17,292
Room & Board $7,820 $11,910
Avg Net Price $13,786 $17,346
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $9,385
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

University of West Alabama Northern Michigan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 6,217
Admitted 2,156 4,386
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 70.5%
Enrolled % 14.4% 32.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/21
SAT Range 880/980
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama Northern Michigan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama Northern Michigan University
Graduation Rate 28% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $22,292
Median Loan Payment $273 $230

Diversity

University of West Alabama Northern Michigan University
% Men 25% 40%
% Women 75% 60%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 85%
% Black 40% 2%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

University of West Alabama Northern Michigan University
% In-State 81% 74%
% Out-of-State 13% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Michigan University is larger than than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (6,970 students vs. 5,860 students)

University of West Alabama vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or Northern Michigan University?

  • Northern Michigan University is 29.6% more expensive to attend than University of West Alabama for in-state tuition ($11,796.00 vs. $9,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.3% higher at University of West Alabama than Northern Michigan University ($18,200.00 vs. $17,292.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of West Alabama than Northern Michigan University ($13,786 vs. $17,346)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 52.3% lower than costs at Northern Michigan University ($7,820 vs. $11,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Michigan University than University of West Alabama (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 1% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($9,385 vs. $9,291)

University of West Alabama vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Michigan University (1011) is 81 points higher than at University of West Alabama (930)
  • Incoming Northern Michigan University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of West Alabama (20)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Michigan University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)
  • Northern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (70.5%) than University of West Alabama (68.9%)

University of West Alabama vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Michigan University is higher than University of West Alabama (48% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of West Alabama earn on average $100 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($38,500 vs. $38,400)
  • Northern Michigan University students graduate with a $4,197 lower median federal student loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates. ($22,292 vs. $26,489)
  • Northern Michigan University graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than University of West Alabama graduates. ($230 vs. $273)
  • More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 36%)

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