WMU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than WMU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 16,744 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

WMU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Kent State? 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 Kent State ($17,331 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 11.7% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($12,174 vs. $13,794).
• Western Michigan University is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $2,020 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at Kent State than at Western Michigan University (about $4,048 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Western Michigan University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 9.6% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($11,048 vs. $10,076).

WMU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kent State University at Kent (1130) is 20 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WMU (3.5).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

WMU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Kent graduates have a $808 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,825 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Kent State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($267 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 46%)

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.