Waubonsee vs. Northern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL with Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Waubonsee Community College is larger than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (8,305 students vs. 7,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Waubonsee Community College is located in Sugar Grove, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Northern Michigan University is in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Waubonsee Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Waubonsee Community College 21:1; Northern Michigan University 18:1.

Waubonsee vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Waubonsee 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 Waubonsee Community College than Northern Michigan University ($12,754 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Michigan University are 41.5% lower than at Waubonsee Community College ($13,274 vs. $22,700).
• Northern Michigan University is 52% more expensive for in-state tuition than Waubonsee (about $4,887 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $9,390.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.7% higher at Northern Michigan University than at Waubonsee Community College (about $9,296 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $10,477.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at Waubonsee Community College (94% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 98.4% larger than aid received by Waubonsee Community College students ($12,012 vs. $6,055).

Waubonsee vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Waubonsee 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 Waubonsee .

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

Waubonsee vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Waubonsee 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 $3,500 more per year than Waubonsee graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Waubonsee Community College graduates have a $15,792 lower median loan debt than Northern Michigan University graduates ($6,500 vs. $22,292).
• Among borrowers, Waubonsee graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Michigan University graduates ($67 vs. $230).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Waubonsee students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 43%)

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.