Principia College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois 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 Principia College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Principia College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia 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 Principia College ($17,331 vs. $18,248).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 12.5% lower than at Principia College ($12,174 vs. $13,910).
• Principia College is 127.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $19,428 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.2% higher at Principia College than at Western Michigan University (about $15,646 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Principia College (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 175.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($30,402 vs. $11,048).

Principia College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 40 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia 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).

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.