Kalamazoo College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kalamazoo College is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kalamazoo College 10:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Kalamazoo College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kalamazoo College 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 Kalamazoo College ($17,331 vs. $26,956).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 3% lower than at Kalamazoo College ($12,174 vs. $12,549).
• Kalamazoo College is 300.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $45,798 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 220.7% higher at Kalamazoo College than at Western Michigan University (about $42,016 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo College than at Western Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 327.7% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($47,252 vs. $11,048).

Kalamazoo College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kalamazoo College 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 Kalamazoo College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kalamazoo College (1280) is 170 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming Kalamazoo College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kalamazoo College 1170/1380; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kalamazoo College 20/29; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kalamazoo College - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kalamazoo College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Kalamazoo College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at Kalamazoo College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Kalamazoo College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kalamazoo College 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).

• Kalamazoo College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Kalamazoo College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have a $183 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($26,450 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($273 vs. $275).
• More Kalamazoo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.