Kalamazoo College vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kalamazoo College is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kalamazoo College 10:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Kalamazoo College vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kalamazoo College or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than Kalamazoo College ($14,416 vs. $26,956).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 11.9% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,549 vs. $14,252).
• Kalamazoo College is 301.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $45,860 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.6% higher at Kalamazoo College than at Wayne State University (about $29,013 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo College than at Wayne State University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 264.8% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($47,252 vs. $12,953).

Kalamazoo College vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kalamazoo College or WSU? 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 WSU and Kalamazoo College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kalamazoo College (1280) is 110 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Kalamazoo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kalamazoo College 1170/1380; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kalamazoo College 20/29; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kalamazoo College - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kalamazoo College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Kalamazoo College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at Kalamazoo College vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Kalamazoo College vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kalamazoo College and WSU? 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).

• Kalamazoo College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Kalamazoo College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,192 lower median loan debt than Kalamazoo College graduates ($22,258 vs. $26,450).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kalamazoo College graduates ($230 vs. $273).
• More Kalamazoo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 38%)

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.