TROY vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Troy University in Troy, AL 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 TROY based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 13,658 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

TROY vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TROY 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 Troy University than WMU ($12,842 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Troy University are 22% lower than at Western Michigan University ($9,500 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 49.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TROY (about $5,076 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $10,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at TROY than at Western Michigan University (about $1,318 more per year; $20,352.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Troy University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 6.6% larger than aid received by Troy University students ($11,048 vs. $10,363).

TROY vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TROY 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 TROY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 30 points higher than at TROY (1080).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at TROY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Troy University 940/1210; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Troy University 18/25; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TROY - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman TROY students have the same average high school GPA (3.5) as students at WMU (3.5).
• TROY has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at TROY vs. 13.5% at WMU.

TROY vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TROY 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 Troy University's (35%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than TROY graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Troy University graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, TROY graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TROY students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 33%)

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.