Lake State vs Northern Michigan University (NMU)

Nestled in the heart of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and Northern Michigan University (NMU) stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering unique educational experiences. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing prospective students with valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their academic journey. Whether you're drawn to LSSU's intimate learning environment or NMU's diverse academic offerings, this comprehensive analysis will guide you towards the university that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.
Lake Superior State University logo

Lake Superior State University

Northern Michigan University logo

Northern Michigan University

Overview

Location Sault Ste Marie, Michigan Marquette, Michigan
Campus setting Town: Remote Town: Remote
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 67.0% 72.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 73.3% 71.3%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $50
SAT range 950 - 1160 N/A
ACT range 18 - 27 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 43.0%
Students submitting ACT score 9.0%
Total number of applicants 2,411 6,553
Total number of admissions given out 1,767 4,670
Admitted students who chose to enroll 373 1,496
Yield rate 21.1% 32.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $24,150
In state: $26,076

Out of state: $31,572
Average net price $13,583 $17,686
Tuition $12,912
In state: $12,098

Out of state: $17,594
Room & board $11,516
Room/dormitory: $6,212

Meal plan: $5,700
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

97.0%
Average amount $10,820
100.0%
Average amount $8,291
Students receiving federal student loan 59.0%
Average amount $4,800
60.0%
Average amount $4,882
Students taking out private loans 10.0%
Average amount $14,945
13.0%
Average amount $12,023

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,812
Men 44.2% Women 55.8%
6,611
Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Graduate students N/A 603
Men 31.8% Women 68.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students 13.8% 27.5%
International students 1.2% 1.2%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 850 2,956
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Michigan Indiana Minnesota Illinois Ohio Michigan Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Liberal Arts
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 19:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 52.4% 49.4%
Dropout rate 16.6% 48.5%
Transferred out 27.7% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,165
  • Year 2: $58,601
  • Year 3: $60,574
Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: $54,778
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,343
  • Year 2: $39,639
  • Year 3: $48,561
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $36,312
  • Year 3: $47,637
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,532
  • Year 2: $35,988
  • Year 3: $41,129
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,840
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: $40,637
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,289
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: $34,996
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: N/A
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,914
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $21,508
  • Year 3: N/A
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,628
  • Year 2: $72,796
  • Year 3: $79,136
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: $46,384
  • Year 2: $47,846
  • Year 3: $59,593
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $56,415
  • Year 3: $58,726
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,371
  • Year 2: $56,776
  • Year 3: $57,709
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,668
  • Year 2: $53,358
  • Year 3: $55,574
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,975
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $51,392
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,045
  • Year 2: $34,793
  • Year 3: $47,951
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,424
  • Year 2: $44,635
  • Year 3: $46,290
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,823
  • Year 2: $38,649
  • Year 3: $45,786
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,293
  • Year 2: $38,529
  • Year 3: $44,324

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