Saginaw Valley State University vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, 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 Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Saginaw Valley 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: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University than WMU ($11,546 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 1.3% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($12,174 vs. $12,340).
• Western Michigan University is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $2,322 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Western Michigan University (about $11,416 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($13,512 vs. $11,048).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 60 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Saginaw Valley State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 18/26; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State 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.