Northern Michigan University vs Western Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is a public university in Marquette, MI. Western Michigan University is a public university in Kalamazoo, MI. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants and Western Michigan University about 85%, making Northern Michigan University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,085 a year at Northern Michigan University after aid, and about $15,273 at Western Michigan University. About 58% of students graduate at Western Michigan University, compared with 52% at Northern Michigan University. Ten years after enrolling, Western Michigan University alumni earn a median of about $53,562, against $47,107 for Northern Michigan University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Marquette, MI
Kalamazoo, MI
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
6,556
12,568
Acceptance rate
84%
85%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.32–3.82
3.38–3.88
SAT (middle 50%)
970–1190
990–1220
ACT (middle 50%)
20–26
20–27
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,085
$15,273
Full cost / yr
$27,841
$29,237
In-state tuition
$14,277
$15,252
Out-of-state tuition
$19,773
$19,034
Application fee
Not reported
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,697
$5,263
$30k - $48k
$7,185
$5,734
$48k - $75k
$11,051
$13,833
$75k - $110k
$16,324
$18,307
Over $110k
$22,268
$23,625
Outcomes
Graduation rate
52%
58%
Freshman retention
78%
81%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$37,996
$45,356
Median earnings (10 yr)
$47,107
$53,562
Median debt at graduation
$21,474
$26,188
Student body
Pell grant recipients
28%
27%
First-generation students
28%
29%
International students
1%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Northern Michigan University or Western Michigan University harder to get into?
- Northern Michigan University is harder to get into. It admits about 84% of applicants, compared with 85% at Western Michigan University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Northern Michigan University or Western Michigan University?
- Northern Michigan University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,085 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $15,273 at Western Michigan University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Northern Michigan University and Western Michigan University?
- Before aid, Northern Michigan University costs about $27,841 a year and Western Michigan University about $29,237. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Northern Michigan University or Western Michigan University?
- Western Michigan University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,263 there, against about $7,697 at Northern Michigan University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Northern Michigan University or Western Michigan University?
- Western Michigan University is the larger of the two, with about 12,568 undergraduates against 6,556 at Northern Michigan University.
- Does Northern Michigan University or Western Michigan University have a better graduation rate?
- Western Michigan University has the higher graduation rate, at about 58% against 52% at Northern Michigan University.
- Do graduates of Northern Michigan University or Western Michigan University earn more?
- Western Michigan University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $53,562 ten years after enrolling, against about $47,107 for Northern Michigan University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Northern Michigan University and Western Michigan University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Northern Michigan University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Western Michigan University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Northern Michigan University and Western Michigan University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 970–1190 at Northern Michigan University and 990–1220 at Western Michigan University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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