Augustana vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL 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 Augustana based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Augustana vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana 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 Western Michigan University than Augustana ($17,331 vs. $24,714).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 2.6% lower than at Augustana College ($12,174 vs. $12,502).
• Augustana College is 238.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $36,346 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.1% higher at Augustana than at Western Michigan University (about $32,564 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 255.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($39,242 vs. $11,048).

Augustana vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana 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 Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Augustana College (1150) is 40 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming Augustana students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Augustana (3.3).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Augustana (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Augustana vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana 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).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.