IU East vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University East in Richmond, IN 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 IU East based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,203 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University East is located in Richmond, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Indiana University East is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University East 15:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

IU East vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU East 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 Indiana University East than WMU ($8,718 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University East are 9.9% lower than at Western Michigan University ($10,972 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 81.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU East (about $6,828 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at IU East than at Western Michigan University (about $3,777 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Indiana University East (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 36.5% larger than aid received by Indiana University East students ($11,048 vs. $8,096).

IU East vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU East 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 IU East.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at IU East (1070).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at IU East).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 960/1170; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 19/24; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU East - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: IU East Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at IU East (3.41).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than IU East (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at IU East vs. 13.5% at WMU.

IU East vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU East 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Indiana University East's (19%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than IU East graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University East graduates have a $6,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, IU East graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($211 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU East students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 40%)

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.