UNI vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA 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 UNI based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa 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 Northern Iowa 18:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

UNI vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI 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 Northern Iowa than WMU ($16,437 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 18% lower than at Western Michigan University ($9,986 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 53.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $5,316 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at UNI than at Western Michigan University (about $2,678 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at University of Northern Iowa (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 88.4% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($11,048 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 40 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WMU (3.5).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 13.5% at WMU.

UNI vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI 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).

• University of Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,008 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($20,625 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($213 vs. $275).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.