University of St Francis vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of St Francis in Joliet, IL 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 University of St Francis based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of St Francis is located in Joliet, IL (Midsize City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• University of St Francis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of St Francis 15:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

University of St Francis vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St Francis 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 St Francis than WMU ($14,045 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Francis are 1.6% lower than at Western Michigan University ($11,980 vs. $12,174).
• University of St Francis is 149.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $22,858 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.2% higher at University of St Francis than at Western Michigan University (about $19,076 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Francis than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 189.6% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($31,998 vs. $11,048).

University of St Francis vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Francis (1130) is 20 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming University of St Francis students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 1030/1220; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 20/32; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of St Francis - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of St Francis (3.47).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than University of St Francis (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at University of St Francis vs. 13.5% at WMU.

University of St Francis vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of St Francis 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 St Francis's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from University of St Francis earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Francis graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, University of St Francis graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More University of St Francis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.