WKU vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY 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 WKU based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 16,291 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

WKU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU 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 Kentucky University than WMU ($12,548 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 3.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,174 vs. $12,582).
• Western Michigan University is 30.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $3,600 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at WKU than at Western Michigan University (about $7,966 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Western Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,048 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU 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 WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 160 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming WMU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 13.5% at WMU.

WKU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,383 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($250 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

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.