Albion College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Albion College in Albion, MI with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Albion College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,308 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Albion College is located in Albion, MI (Distant Town setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Albion College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Albion College 11:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Albion College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Albion College or WMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Albion College than WMU ($16,719 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 5.1% lower than at Albion College ($12,174 vs. $12,830).
• Albion College is 273.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $41,698 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 199.2% higher at Albion College than at Western Michigan University (about $37,916 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Albion College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Albion College students is 382.4% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($53,298 vs. $11,048).

Albion College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Albion College or WMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WMU and Albion College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 60 points higher than at Albion College (1050).
• Incoming Albion College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WMU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Albion College 930/1160; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Albion College 19/27; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Albion College - Test-free; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Albion College (3.48).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Albion College (80.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Albion College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Albion College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Albion College and WMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Albion College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Albion College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,600 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $567 lower median loan debt than Albion College graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,200).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Albion College graduates ($275 vs. $281).
• More Albion College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.