Northern Michigan University vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Michigan University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (7,409 students vs. 6,822 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Michigan University 18:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 7% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($12,340 vs. $13,274).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern Michigan University (about $10,677 more per year; $30,450 vs. $19,773).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Northern Michigan University students ($13,512 vs. $12,012).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northern Michigan University, test optional at Saginaw Valley State University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Saginaw Valley State University average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Northern Michigan University (3.33).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Northern Michigan University vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $4,708 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($22,292 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 48%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.