IPFW vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, 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 IPFW based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 7,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

IPFW vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne than WMU ($14,735 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 4.1% lower than at Western Michigan University ($11,669 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 60% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $5,720 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.2% higher at IPFW than at Western Michigan University (about $3,853 more per year; $22,887.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Fort Wayne than at Western Michigan University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 54.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($11,048 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW 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 IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 10 points higher than at IPFW (1100).
• Incoming IPFW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than IPFW (83.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 13.5% at WMU.

IPFW vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates have a $2,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, IPFW graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($253 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

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.