NMU Releases 10th Day Enrollment Numbers

Northern Michigan University's 10th-day enrollment report shows the university finding positive gains in many areas, including growth in the national market outside Michigan and neighboring states and within numerous programs, despite a decline in overall enrollment.

"While our overall new freshmen class size is down, we are seeing important growth and continued strength in departments such as Business, English, Economics, Social Work, Art and Design, Philosophy, Surgical Technology, Psychology, and Theater and Dance," said Jeff Korpi, associate vice president for Northern Student Experience. "Many programs are bringing in students from all across the country, including other Midwest states and places like Colorado, California and Texas."

Total fall headcount is 6,961 with more than 1,800 new students choosing to enroll at NMU. Additionally, the incoming fall 2026 baccalaureate class had the highest overall incoming high school GPA at 3.49.

NMU President Chris Olsen said several factors contributed to this year's decrease in overall enrollment, which was anticipated due to changing demographics and other factors.

"Enrollment is going to be a significant challenge in the years ahead," Olsen said.

Regarding new first-time freshmen, Olsen cited three major causes of the decline. First, the state's commitment to free community college through its Community College Guarantee and Michigan Reconnect programs, which are pulling students away from 4-year institutions. Second, the steep drop in the population of traditional-aged high school graduates, a long trend that will continue into the 2040s, and which has been exacerbated by a sharp decline in the college-going rate of this same demographic. Third, enrollment and budget pressures at the state's Big Ten schools led them to significantly increase undergraduate acceptance rates and offer additional scholarships to enroll students from the U.P. and across Michigan whom they previously did not admit.

Regarding continuing and returning students, a major factor in the enrollment decline is how quickly they're graduating. Associate Provost and Director of Institutional Effectiveness Jason Nicholas said NMU's 4-year graduation rate increased by more than 17 percent over the last decade, with larger-than-average graduating classes each of the last two academic years. This is great news for students, of course, and a measure of how well they are doing and the support that Northern offers, he added.

"Advisors and faculty help students make efficient progress using accurate degree plans, and at the same time, we're doing a better job of translating the credits that students bring in from high school into real progress toward their goals," Nicholas said.

Streamlined degree programs mean shorter time to graduation, and the university remains committed to reviewing academic programming to ensure students graduate prepared for today's job market. Northern has programs aligned with every one of the top 50 in-demand jobs in Michigan, reflecting NMU's unique combination of associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs.

"By every measure, our degrees offer lifelong and career advantages that are difficult to match," Olsen said. "Our most recent alumni cohort registered a 97% placement rate and four in 10 graduates had no debt. For those with debt, the average is less than $23,000, which is a significant investment but less than half the cost of most new cars. And, your NMU degree doesn't depreciate when you cross the commencement stage."

Olsen said NMU will continue meeting the challenges facing higher education, highlighting several initiatives launched since his arrival in January to increase retention and enroll more new students.

These include Experience Grants that will be available to new incoming students who start next year, providing funding for students seeking high-impact educational experiences such as internships, undergraduate research, and travel study; further investment in the university's Honors Program; and enhanced messaging to incoming students around the state's Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) Funding, which covers two years of tuition to eligible students and, when coupled with other income-eligible scholarships and grants, helps cover nearly 100 percent of NMU tuition and board. In addition, the university's new housing development along Presque Isle Avenue will provide new, affordable on-campus housing for students.

To help combat the rising cost of higher education, the university previously launched its Tuition Advantage Program, which ensures Pell-eligible students who qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship will pay no tuition. New this year is NMU's Tuition Advantage Plus program, which can cover up to $1,000 in additional start-up fees and expenses, like NMU's recreation pass, green fund, one-time athletic fee, and distance education fee for web courses.

"We are optimistic about the next few years for Northern," Olsen concluded. "It's easy to be optimistic when you have a world-class university with amazing facilities and great faculty and staff, and which happens to be located in one of the most amazing, unique places in the United States."