Trine University vs. WMU

Should I go to Trine University or Western Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Trine University or WMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Trine University vs. Western Michigan University comparison
Trine University Western Michigan University College 3 College 4
Western Michigan University
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Overview

Trine University WMU
Location Angola, IN Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 4,088 17,000
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #772 #634
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website trine.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Trine University WMU
Tuition (In State) $34,330 $14,523
Tuition (Out of State) $34,330 $18,154
Room & Board $11,920 $11,102
Avg Net Price $24,276 $20,030
Avg Grant Aid $24,645 $6,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 93%

Admission

Trine University WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,904 20,501
Admitted 3,587 17,334
Acceptance Rate 91.9% 84.6%
Enrolled % 18.2% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/27
SAT Range 1030/1240 990/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Trine University WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (30%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

Trine University WMU
Graduation Rate 44% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,150 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $260 $275

Diversity

Trine University WMU
% Men 51% 47%
% Women 49% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 72%
% Black 3% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Trine University WMU
% In-State 55% 79%
% Out-of-State 44% 19%

Campus

Trine University WMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Trine University based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 4,088 students)

Trine University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trine University or WMU?

  • Trine University is 136.4% more expensive to attend than WMU for in-state tuition ($34,330.00 vs. $14,523.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.1% higher at Trine University than Western Michigan University ($34,330.00 vs. $18,154.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Michigan University than Trine University ($20,030 vs. $24,276)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 7.4% lower than costs at Trine University ($11,102 vs. $11,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Trine University than Western Michigan University (97% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Trine University students is 261.7% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($24,645 vs. $6,813)

Trine University vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Trine University or WMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WMU or Trine University .

  • The average SAT score at Trine University (1089) is 59 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Trine University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Trine University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WMU (3.5)
  • Trine University has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than WMU (84.6%)

Trine University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Trine University or WMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WMU and Trine University.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Trine University (56% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $2,500 more per year than Trine University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $46,400)
  • Trine University students graduate with a $1,483 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($25,150 vs. $26,633)
  • Trine University graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($260 vs. $275)
  • More Trine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/