Michigan State vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than WMU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 16,744 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Michigan State vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State 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 Michigan State ($17,331 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 3.1% lower than at Michigan State University ($12,174 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $1,206 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.3% higher at Michigan State than at Western Michigan University (about $24,808 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Michigan State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($11,048 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State 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 Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 160 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WMU (3.5).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Michigan State vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,149 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($263 vs. $275).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.