CMU vs. Northern Michigan University

Should I go to Central Michigan University or Northern Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CMU 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
Central Michigan University vs. Northern Michigan University comparison
Central Michigan University Northern Michigan University College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University Northern Michigan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CMU Northern Michigan University
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Marquette, MI
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 14,557 6,970
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu nmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU Northern Michigan University
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $11,796
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $17,292
Room & Board $11,248 $11,910
Avg Net Price $15,605 $17,346
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $9,385
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

CMU Northern Michigan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 6,217
Admitted 15,701 4,386
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 70.5%
Enrolled % 12.9% 32.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27
SAT Range 980/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

CMU Northern Michigan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

CMU Northern Michigan University
Graduation Rate 54% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,292
Median Loan Payment $279 $230

Diversity

CMU Northern Michigan University
% Men 40% 40%
% Women 60% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 85%
% Black 8% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

CMU Northern Michigan University
% In-State 90% 74%
% Out-of-State 9% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than Northern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 6,970 students)

CMU vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Northern Michigan University?

  • Central Michigan University is 11.9% more expensive to attend than Northern Michigan University for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $11,796.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31% higher at Northern Michigan University than Central Michigan University ($17,292.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Northern Michigan University ($15,605 vs. $17,346)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 5.9% lower than costs at Northern Michigan University ($11,248 vs. $11,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Michigan University than Central Michigan University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 20.6% larger than aid received Northern Michigan University ($11,314 vs. $9,385)

CMU vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU 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 CMU .

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 38 points higher than at Northern Michigan University (1011)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northern Michigan University (22)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than Northern Michigan University (70.5%)

CMU vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU 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 CMU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Northern Michigan University (54% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $6,100 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $38,400)
  • Northern Michigan University students graduate with a $4,708 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($22,292 vs. $27,000)
  • Northern Michigan University graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($230 vs. $279)
  • More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 54%)

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