IU Northwest vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, 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 Northwest based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,041 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Indiana University Northwest 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 Northwest 15:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

IU Northwest vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Northwest than WMU ($5,745 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest 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 Northwest (about $6,828 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at IU Northwest 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 Northwest (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 32.7% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($11,048 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest or WMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WMU and IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 60 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman WMU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 13.5% at WMU.

IU Northwest vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest and WMU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $1,603 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,030 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, IU Northwest graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 33%)

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.