Northern Michigan University (NMU) vs Grand Valley State
Northern Michigan University and Grand Valley State University, both esteemed institutions in Michigan, offer distinct educational experiences. Northern Michigan University, nestled in the picturesque Upper Peninsula, boasts a close-knit community and a strong focus on undergraduate education. Grand Valley State University, located in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, is known for its diverse academic programs and research opportunities. With different acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different student preferences and aspirations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Grand Valley State University |
![]() Northern Michigan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Allendale, Michigan | Marquette, Michigan |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 83.0% | 72.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.7% | 71.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 17,163 | 6,553 |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,730 | 4,670 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,807 | 1,496 |
Yield rate | 24.2% | 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) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,604
Out of state:
$29,340
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In state:
$26,076
Out of state:
$31,572
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Average net price | $16,947 | $17,686 |
Tuition |
In state:
$13,560
Out of state:
$19,296
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In state:
$12,098
Out of state:
$17,594
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,380
Meal plan:
$3,500
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Room/dormitory:
$6,212
Meal plan:
$5,700
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
80.0%
Average amount $8,376 |
100.0%
Average amount $8,291 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $5,161 |
60.0%
Average amount $4,882 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $13,024 |
13.0%
Average amount $12,023 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
19,379
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
6,611
Men 41.4% Women 58.6% |
Graduate students |
3,027
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
603
Men 31.8% Women 68.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 10.6% | 27.5% |
International students | 1.8% | 1.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 6,012 | 2,956 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Illinois Indiana Ohio Texas | Michigan Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 19:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.1% | 49.4% |
Dropout rate | 15.6% | 48.5% |
Transferred out | 15.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
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Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
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