IU Southeast vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, 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 Southeast based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Southeast is located in New Albany, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Indiana University Southeast 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 Southeast 13:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

IU Southeast vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Southeast 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 Southeast than WMU ($9,102 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Southeast are 1.9% lower than at Western Michigan University ($11,940 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 81.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Southeast (about $6,828 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at IU Southeast 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 Southeast (94% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 50.4% larger than aid received by Indiana University Southeast students ($11,048 vs. $7,347).

IU Southeast vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 30 points higher than at IU Southeast (1080).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at IU Southeast).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Southeast 970/1180; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Southeast 20/25; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Southeast - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at IU Southeast (3.31).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than IU Southeast (84.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39.7% at IU Southeast vs. 13.5% at WMU.

IU Southeast vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Southeast 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 Southeast's (27%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than IU Southeast graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Southeast graduates have a $6,372 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($20,261 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, IU Southeast graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($209 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Southeast students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

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.