Northern Michigan University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 6,556 students.
About This School
Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan with approximately 6,556 undergraduate students enrolled. Northern Michigan University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 84%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,085 per year. The graduation rate is 52%, and the typical graduate earns $39,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Northern Michigan University is a public university in Marquette, Michigan, United States. It was established in 1899 by the Michigan Legislature as Northern State Normal School. In 1963, the state designated the school a university and gave it the current name. The university comprises five academic divisions, offering some 180 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. NMU's athletic teams are nicknamed the Wildcats and compete primarily in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the affordable net price of $17,485/year and low median debt of $13,750 are genuinely appealing, but a 51% graduation rate means roughly half of students who start don't finish, which is a real concern worth asking about during any campus visit. Median earnings of $39,800 a decade out are modest, so students should be strategic about choosing programs with stronger job outcomes — NMU's nursing, cybersecurity, and applied sciences offerings tend to be its most career-connected. Worth considering if you're drawn to a smaller, tight-knit campus in a beautiful lakeside setting and have a clear plan for staying on track to graduate.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 21% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (6,556 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Northern Michigan University
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855-5301
Official Links
Other Schools in Michigan
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · Public
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · Public
Macomb Community College
Warren, MI · Public
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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