UIU vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Upper Iowa University in Fayette, 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 UIU based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,941 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Upper Iowa University 25:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

UIU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU 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 UIU ($17,331 vs. $20,426).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 16.9% lower than at Western Michigan University ($10,121 vs. $12,174).
• Upper Iowa University is 27.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $4,223 more per year; $19,475.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at UIU than at Western Michigan University (about $441 more per year; $19,475.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Upper Iowa University than at Western Michigan University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Upper Iowa University students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($13,596 vs. $11,048).

UIU vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIU 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 UIU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at UIU (1070).
• Incoming WMU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Upper Iowa University 970/1160; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Upper Iowa University 14/21; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIU - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman WMU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UIU (3.34).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.9% at UIU vs. 13.5% at WMU.

UIU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIU 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 Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than UIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $2,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($248 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 50%)

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.