IWU vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, 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 IWU based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is located in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

IWU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 IWU ($17,331 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 10.7% lower than at Western Michigan University ($10,868 vs. $12,174).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is 112.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $17,100 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70% higher at IWU than at Western Michigan University (about $13,318 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students is 93.7% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($21,405 vs. $11,048).

IWU vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at IWU (1070).
• Incoming IWU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WMU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WMU (3.5).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 13.5% at WMU.

IWU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $2,529 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,104 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($249 vs. $275).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.