OC Comets vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Olivet in Olivet, 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 OC Comets based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Olivet is located in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Olivet 17:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

OC Comets vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OC Comets 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 OC Comets ($17,331 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 3.1% lower than at The University of Olivet ($12,174 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 123.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $18,816 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79% higher at OC Comets than at Western Michigan University (about $15,034 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 152.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($27,858 vs. $11,048).

OC Comets vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OC Comets 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 OC Comets.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 90 points higher than at OC Comets (1020).
• Incoming WMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at OC Comets).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Olivet 910/1120; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Olivet 18/23; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OC Comets - Test-free; WMU - Test-free.
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than OC Comets (83.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at OC Comets vs. 13.5% at WMU.

OC Comets vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OC Comets 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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.