Northern Michigan University Review

Situated along the wooded southern coastline of Lake Superior, Northern Michigan University (NMU) is a 4-year public school offering 191 associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs to more than 9,300 students. Fundamentally a liberal arts school, NMU also offers degrees in business, education, nursing, technology and applied sciences.

Northern Michigan University Overview

At one time a small teaching school, NMU grew and diversified in the '50s, achieving university status in 1963. The 360-acre campus is located in the northern reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and its natural environment provides ample opportunities for biological and environmental research. Nearby Lake Superior offers 1100 miles of scenic shoreline and opportunities for waterfront sports, and Marquette's 144-inch annual snowfall ensures a host of winter recreational activities.

NMU is one of the largest U.S. notebook computer campuses. Each full-time student is issued a laptop computer equipped with a suite of standard applications, and the campus is robustly wired, as well as fully wireless, for ready access to the local academic network and the Internet.

Admissions and Enrollment Overview

Freshman applicants for baccalaureate, associate, certificate or diploma programs are expected to have a high school GPA of 2.25 or higher in college preparatory subjects, with a minimum ACT composite score of 19 or a Math and Critical Reading combined SAT of 900. Four out of five students reside in-state, and full-time undergraduates account for 88% of the student population. Attending NMU need not be a financial burden, since 80% of students receive financial aid.

Students are encouraged to ease the transition to college life by joining the First Year Experience program, and the Freshman Fellows program pairs freshmen with faculty members for collaborative research projects. The more than 200 student organizations include a volunteer center that conducts extensive outreach throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Campus Learning Environment and Facilities

Northern Michigan University offers 52 facilities, including the modern Seaborg Science Complex, which has more than two dozen laboratories, and the recently renovated Thomas Fine Arts and Art and Design buildings. The university theater, library and student center feature up-to-date equipment and resources. There are ten residential areas, a speech and hearing clinic and several specialty computer labs. Media-minded students can take advantage of a public TV station and two on-campus radio stations.

The university's sports and recreation complex boasts the Superior Dome, the world's largest wooden dome. NMU also hosts the United States Olympic Education Center, one of only four Olympic training centers in the nation, which houses programs in weightlifting, Greco-Roman wrestling and short track speedskating.

Colleges, Schools and Centers at Northern Michigan University

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Art and Design
  • Seaborg Math and Science Center
  • Center for Native American Study
  • Center for Upper Peninsula Study
  • Walker L. Cisler College of Business
  • Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship
  • College of Professional Studies
  • School of Technology and Applied Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Nursing
  • College of Graduate Studies

School Contact Information

  • Address: 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, MI 49855
  • Phone Number: (906) 227-1000