WMU vs. Ashland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Ashland University in Ashland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Ashland College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 4,106 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Ashland University is in Ashland, OH (Town Fringe setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ashland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Ashland University 14:1.

WMU vs. Ashland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Ashland College? 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 Ashland College ($17,331 vs. $22,610).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 10.3% lower than at Ashland University ($12,174 vs. $13,568).
• Ashland University is 104.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $15,958 more per year; $31,210.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64% higher at Ashland College than at Western Michigan University (about $12,176 more per year; $31,210.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ashland University than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ashland University students is 88.6% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($20,835 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. Ashland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or Ashland College? 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 Ashland College and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ashland University (1120) is 10 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Ashland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Ashland University 1035/1208.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Ashland University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Ashland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Ashland College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Ashland College (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 15.9% at Ashland College.

WMU vs. Ashland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Ashland College? 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).

• Ashland University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Ashland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ashland University graduates have a $383 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Ashland College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($271 vs. $275).
• More Ashland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.