Wabash College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN 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 Wabash College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wabash College is located in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Wabash College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wabash College 9:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Wabash College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wabash College 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 Wabash College ($17,331 vs. $25,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 15.5% lower than at Wabash College ($12,174 vs. $14,400).
• Wabash College is 233.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $35,548 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 166.9% higher at Wabash College than at Western Michigan University (about $31,766 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wabash College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wabash College students is 258.5% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($39,605 vs. $11,048).

Wabash College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wabash College 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 Wabash College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wabash College (1170) is 60 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming Wabash College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 1060/1270; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 23/28; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wabash College - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wabash College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wabash College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Wabash College (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Wabash College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Wabash College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wabash College 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).

• Wabash College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wabash College graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Wabash College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More Wabash College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.