Principia College vs. WMU

Principia College and Western Michigan University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Principia College
Western Michigan University

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: WMU. Average net price is $17,331 vs $18,248 at Principia College.
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Key differences

Principia College Western Michigan University
Acceptance rate
WMU more selective
Principia College-
WMU84.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Principia College higher
Principia College1040-1250
WMU990-1220
Average net price
WMU $917 less
Principia College$18,248
WMU$17,331
In-state tuition
WMU $19,428 less
Principia College$34,680
WMU$15,252
Out-of-state tuition
WMU $15,646 less
Principia College$34,680
WMU$19,034
Graduation rate
WMU +56 pts
Principia College-
WMU56%
Median earnings (10 years)
WMU +$48,900
Principia College-
WMU$48,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Principia College -
  • WMU 21,701
  • Admitted
  • Principia College -
  • WMU 18,359
  • Acceptance rate
  • Principia College
  • WMU 84.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Principia College
  • WMU 13.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Principia College 1150
  • WMU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Principia College 21
  • WMU 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Principia College 3.34
  • WMU 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Principia College B+
  • WMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Principia College Easy
  • WMU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Principia College
  • WMU
  • SAT range
  • Principia College 1040-1250
  • WMU 990-1220
  • ACT range
  • Principia College 19-23
  • WMU 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Principia College Not reported
  • WMU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Principia College
  • WMU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Principia College $34,680
  • WMU $15,252
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Principia College $34,680
  • WMU $19,034
  • Room & board
  • Principia College $13,910
  • WMU $12,174
  • Average net price
  • Principia College $18,248
  • WMU $17,331
  • Average grant aid
  • Principia College $30,402
  • WMU $11,048
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Principia College 90%
  • WMU 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Principia College -
  • WMU 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Principia College N/A
  • WMU $48,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Principia College -
  • WMU 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Principia College N/A
  • WMU $26,633
  • Median loan payment
  • Principia College N/A
  • WMU $275
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Principia College 6:1
  • WMU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Principia College
  • WMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Engineering (6%)
  • Location
  • Principia College Elsah, Illinois
  • WMU Kalamazoo, MI
  • Setting
  • Principia College Rural Fringe
  • WMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Principia College 339
  • WMU 16,744
  • Type
  • Principia College Private 4 Year
  • WMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Principia College
  • WMU #643

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 82.2% higher at Principia College than at Western Michigan University (about $15,646 more per year; $34,680 vs. $19,034).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at WMU than at Principia College (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are not reported at Principia College, test-free at WMU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WMU average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at Principia College (3.34).

Loans and repayment

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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