UALR vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR 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 UALR based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 8,216 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

UALR vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock than WMU ($12,033 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 11.6% lower than at Western Michigan University ($10,760 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 56.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $5,504 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at UALR than at Western Michigan University (about $3,124 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 0.3% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students ($11,048 vs. $11,013).

UALR vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR 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 UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 20 points higher than at UALR (1090).
• Incoming WMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UALR (3.42).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 13.5% at WMU.

UALR vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $6,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($211 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

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.