St. Ambrose University vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA 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 St. Ambrose University based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,498 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Ambrose University is located in Davenport, IA (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Ambrose University 11:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

St. Ambrose University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Ambrose 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 Western Michigan University than St. Ambrose University ($17,331 vs. $25,345).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 9% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($12,174 vs. $13,378).
• Saint Ambrose University is 140.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $21,406 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.6% higher at St. Ambrose University than at Western Michigan University (about $17,624 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Ambrose University than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 134.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($25,877 vs. $11,048).

St. Ambrose University vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Ambrose 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 St. Ambrose University .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 60 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at St. Ambrose University ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Ambrose University 930/1170; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Ambrose University 20/25; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Ambrose University - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than St. Ambrose University (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at St. Ambrose University vs. 13.5% at WMU.

St. Ambrose University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Ambrose 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).

• Saint Ambrose University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $600 more per year than St. Ambrose University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Ambrose University graduates have a $869 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,764 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, St. Ambrose University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($266 vs. $275).
• More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.