WMU vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Carthage College 14:1.

WMU vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($17,331 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 9.5% lower than at Carthage College ($12,174 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 154.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $23,498 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.6% higher at Carthage than at Western Michigan University (about $19,716 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 115.3% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($23,784 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 10 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Carthage).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Carthage - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

WMU vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Carthage? 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).

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Carthage graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.