WMU vs. LRC

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,153 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); La Roche University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; La Roche University 11:1.

WMU vs. LRC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or LRC? 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 LRC ($17,331 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 9.1% lower than at La Roche University ($12,174 vs. $13,390).
• La Roche University is 123.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $18,800 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.9% higher at LRC than at Western Michigan University (about $15,018 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at La Roche University (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 108.9% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($23,083 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. LRC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming WMU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; La Roche University 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; LRC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at LRC (3.2).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 9.8% at LRC.

WMU vs. LRC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and LRC? 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 La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($268 vs. $275).
• More LRC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.