Western Michigan University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Michigan residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 12,704 students.
Photo by Unknown, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0.
About This School
Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan with approximately 12,704 undergraduate students enrolled. Western Michigan University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 85%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,701 per year. The graduation rate is 58%, and the typical graduate earns $50,500 within 10 years of enrollment.
Western Michigan University is a public research university in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. It was initially established as Western State Normal School in 1903 by Governor Aaron T. Bliss for the training of teachers. It was renamed Western Michigan University in 1957.
The numbers tell a mixed story here — an 85% acceptance rate and a reasonable average net price of $18,701/year make this an accessible, affordable option, but a 58% graduation rate is a real concern worth discussing before enrolling. Students who do finish land at a median salary of $50,500 a decade out, which is a decent return given the relatively modest debt load of around $20K. Worth considering if you have a clear major in mind and a solid plan for staying on track, but dig into why so many students don't finish.
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
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
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 (12,704 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
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 University
Rochester 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.
Photo by Unknown, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0.
- 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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