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CMU WKU GVSU Oakland WSU Michigan State ISU Eastern Michigan University Northern Illinois Michigan Tech Michigan UM-Dearborn| Eastern Kentucky University | Western Michigan University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Eastern | WMU | ||
| Location | Richmond, KY | Kalamazoo, MI | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 14,324 | 17,000 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #854 | #634 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | eku.edu | wmich.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Eastern | WMU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,544 | $14,523 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $19,922 | $18,154 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,360 | $11,102 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $10,806 | $20,030 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,583 | $6,813 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 93% |
Admission |
Eastern | WMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 15,821 | 20,501 | ||
| Admitted | 10,174 | 17,334 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 64.3% | 84.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 26.9% | 15.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.39 | 3.5 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 19/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1185 | 990/1220 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Eastern | WMU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Eastern | WMU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 38% | 56% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $48,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 49% | 54% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,695 | $26,633 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $245 | $275 |
Diversity |
Eastern | WMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 39% | 47% | ||
| % Women | 61% | 53% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 85% | 72% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 12% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Eastern | WMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 91% | 79% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 9% | 19% | ||
Campus |
Eastern | WMU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Western Michigan University is larger than than Eastern based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 14,324 students)
Eastern vs. WMU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Eastern or WMU?
- Western Michigan University is 52.2% more expensive to attend than Eastern for in-state tuition ($14,523.00 vs. $9,544.00)
- Out of state tuition is 9.7% higher at Eastern than Western Michigan University ($19,922.00 vs. $18,154.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than WMU ($10,806 vs. $20,030)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 7.2% lower than costs at Western Michigan University ($10,360 vs. $11,102)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than Western Michigan University (98% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 55.3% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($10,583 vs. $6,813)
Eastern vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Eastern or WMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WMU or Eastern .
- The average SAT score at Western Michigan University (1030) is 2 points higher than at Eastern (1028)
- Incoming Eastern students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WMU (22)
- Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Eastern (3.39)
- WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Eastern (64.3%)
Eastern vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Eastern or WMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WMU and Eastern.
- The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Eastern Kentucky University (56% vs. 38%)
- Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $11,000 more per year than Eastern graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $37,900)
- Eastern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,938 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($23,695 vs. $26,633)
- Eastern graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($245 vs. $275)
- More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 49%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/