Madonna University vs. WMU

Deciding between Madonna University and Western Michigan University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Madonna University
Western Michigan University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Madonna University Livonia, MI
  • WMU Kalamazoo, MI
  • Setting
  • Madonna University Small City
  • WMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Madonna University 2,124
  • WMU 16,744
  • Type
  • Madonna University Private 4 Year
  • WMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Madonna University #689
  • WMU #643
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Madonna University Roman Catholic
  • WMU -
  • Status
  • Madonna University Non-profit
  • WMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Madonna University
  • WMU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Madonna University $28,440
  • WMU $15,252
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Madonna University $28,440
  • WMU $19,034
  • Room & Board
  • Madonna University $12,840
  • WMU $12,174
  • Average Net Price
  • Madonna University $18,373
  • WMU $17,331
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Madonna University $22,471
  • WMU $11,048
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Madonna University 98%
  • WMU 94%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Madonna University 1,535
  • WMU 21,701
  • Admitted
  • Madonna University 973
  • WMU 18,359
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Madonna University 63.4%
  • WMU 84.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Madonna University 25.2%
  • WMU 13.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Madonna University 980
  • WMU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Madonna University
  • WMU 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Madonna University 3.35
  • WMU 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Madonna University B+
  • WMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Madonna University Extremely Easy
  • WMU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Madonna University Low
  • WMU
  • ACT Range
  • Madonna University
  • WMU 20/27
  • SAT Range
  • Madonna University 880/1080
  • WMU 990/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Madonna University Test optional
  • WMU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Madonna University
  • WMU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Madonna University 11:1
  • WMU 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Madonna University
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (32%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (5%)
    • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • WMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Engineering (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Madonna University 42%
  • WMU 56%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Madonna University $42,400
  • WMU $48,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Madonna University 48%
  • WMU 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Madonna University $25,000
  • WMU $26,633
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Madonna University $258
  • WMU $275
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Madonna University 34%
  • WMU 46%
  • % Women
  • Madonna University 66%
  • WMU 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Madonna University Medium
  • WMU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Madonna University No
  • WMU No
  • % White
  • Madonna University 63%
  • WMU 72%
  • % Asian
  • Madonna University 1%
  • WMU 2%
  • % Black
  • Madonna University 12%
  • WMU 12%
  • % Hispanic
  • Madonna University 4%
  • WMU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Madonna University 0%
  • WMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Madonna University 0%
  • WMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Madonna University 2%
  • WMU 3%
  • % International
  • Madonna University 16%
  • WMU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Madonna University 1%
  • WMU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Madonna University 89%
  • WMU 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Madonna University 9%
  • WMU 21%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Madonna University Yes
  • WMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Madonna University No
  • WMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Madonna University Yes
  • WMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Madonna University Yes
  • WMU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Madonna University No
  • WMU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Madonna University in Livonia, 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 Madonna University based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Madonna University is located in Livonia, MI (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
  • Madonna University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Madonna University 11:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Madonna University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Madonna University 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 Madonna University ($17,331 vs. $18,373).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 5.2% lower than at Madonna University ($12,174 vs. $12,840).
  • Madonna University is 86.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $13,188 more per year; $28,440.00 vs. $15,252.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 49.4% higher at Madonna University than at Western Michigan University (about $9,406 more per year; $28,440.00 vs. $19,034.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Madonna University than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Madonna University students is 103.4% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($22,471 vs. $11,048).

Madonna University vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Madonna University 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 Madonna University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 130 points higher than at Madonna University (980).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Madonna University 880/1080; 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: Madonna University - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Madonna University (3.35).
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Madonna University (63.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.2% at Madonna University vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Madonna University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Madonna University 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 Madonna University's (42%).
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Madonna University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Madonna University graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
  • Among borrowers, Madonna University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
  • More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madonna University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

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.