FAU vs. WMU

Should I go to Florida Atlantic University or Western Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FAU or WMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Florida Atlantic University vs. Western Michigan University comparison
Florida Atlantic University Western Michigan University College 3 College 4
Florida Atlantic University Western Michigan University
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Overview

 FAU WMU
Location Boca Raton, FL Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 30,790 16,693
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #678 #631
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fau.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FAU WMU
Tuition (In State) $2,522 $15,198
Tuition (Out of State) $14,374 $18,998
Room & Board $12,536 $11,713
Avg Net Price $9,839 $20,183
Avg Grant Aid $10,786 $8,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 91%

Admission

 FAU WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 27,612 20,100
Admitted 20,279 17,020
Acceptance Rate 73.4% 84.7%
Enrolled % 21.8% 14.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.5
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 20/27
SAT Range 1040/1210 990/1220
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

 FAU WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 23:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

 FAU WMU
Graduation Rate 43% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,861 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $174 $275

Diversity

 FAU WMU
% Men 9% 8%
% Women 12% 14%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 72%
% Black 20% 12%
% Hispanic 26% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 FAU WMU
% In-State 72% 78%
% Out-of-State 22% 21%

Campus

 FAU WMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Florida Atlantic University is larger than than WMU based on total student enrollment (30,790 students vs. 16,693 students)

FAU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or WMU?

  • Western Michigan University is 502.6% more expensive to attend than FAU for in-state tuition ($15,198.00 vs. $2,522.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.2% higher at WMU than Florida Atlantic University ($18,998.00 vs. $14,374.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida Atlantic University than WMU ($9,839 vs. $20,183)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 7% lower than costs at Florida Atlantic University ($11,713 vs. $12,536)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Michigan University than Florida Atlantic University (91% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 31.3% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($10,786 vs. $8,217)

FAU vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or WMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WMU or FAU .

  • The average SAT score at Florida Atlantic University (1047) is 17 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming FAU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at WMU (3.5)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.7%) than FAU (73.4%)

FAU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FAU 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 FAU.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Florida Atlantic University (56% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $2,700 more per year than FAU graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $46,200)
  • Florida Atlantic University students graduate with a $9,772 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($16,861 vs. $26,633)
  • FAU graduates are paying $101 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($174 vs. $275)
  • More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/