UM-Flint vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Flint in Flint, MI 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 UM-Flint based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 6,529 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UM-Flint vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM-Flint 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 Michigan Flint than WMU ($7,852 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 13.3% lower than at University of Michigan Flint ($12,174 vs. $14,042).
• Western Michigan University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM-Flint (about $548 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $14,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at UM-Flint than at Western Michigan University (about $9,286 more per year; $28,320.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Flint than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Flint students is 14% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($12,591 vs. $11,048).

UM-Flint vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM-Flint or WMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WMU and UM-Flint.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Michigan Flint (1110) is the same as at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UM-Flint).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Michigan Flint 970/1243; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Michigan Flint 19/24; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM-Flint - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UM-Flint Aug 22, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UM-Flint students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UM-Flint (70.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.6% at UM-Flint vs. 13.5% at WMU.

UM-Flint vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM-Flint and WMU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of Michigan Flint's (37%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than UM-Flint graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than UM-Flint graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Flint graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Flint students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 40%)

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.