Hope College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope College in Holland, 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 Hope College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope College is located in Holland, MI (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hope College 9:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Hope College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hope 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 Western Michigan University than Hope College ($17,331 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 6% lower than at Hope College ($12,174 vs. $12,950).
• Hope College is 175.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $26,718 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.5% higher at Hope College than at Western Michigan University (about $22,936 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at Western Michigan University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 125.8% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($24,945 vs. $11,048).

Hope College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hope 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 Hope College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 110 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming Hope College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 1100/1340; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 25/31; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hope College - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Hope College (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Hope College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Hope College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hope 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.