Louisville vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisville is larger than WMU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 16,744 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Louisville vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville ($17,331 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 3.2% lower than at University of Louisville ($12,174 vs. $12,576).
• Western Michigan University is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $2,116 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.9% higher at Louisville than at Western Michigan University (about $10,448 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($14,677 vs. $11,048).

Louisville vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 50 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming Louisville students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WMU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Louisville vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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 Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $6,977 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($19,656 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($203 vs. $275).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.