Kuyper College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, 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 Kuyper College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 161 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kuyper College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Large Suburban setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Kuyper College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kuyper College 9:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Kuyper College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kuyper 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 Kuyper College ($17,331 vs. $17,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kuyper College are 10.7% lower than at Western Michigan University ($10,870 vs. $12,174).
• Kuyper College is 81.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $12,408 more per year; $27,660.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.3% higher at Kuyper College than at Western Michigan University (about $8,626 more per year; $27,660.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kuyper College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kuyper College students is 79.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($19,794 vs. $11,048).

Kuyper College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 60 points higher than at Kuyper College (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kuyper College 935/1170; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kuyper College - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Kuyper College (3.34).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Kuyper College (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.6% at Kuyper College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Kuyper College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kuyper 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Kuyper College's (48%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than Kuyper College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kuyper College graduates have a $2,883 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($23,750 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Kuyper College graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($245 vs. $275).
• More Kuyper College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.