WMU vs. MBBC

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than MBBC based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 960 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Maranatha Baptist University is in Watertown, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Maranatha Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Maranatha Baptist University 11:1.

WMU vs. MBBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or MBBC? 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 MBBC ($17,331 vs. $28,415).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maranatha Baptist University are 21.6% lower than at Western Michigan University ($9,548 vs. $12,174).
• Maranatha Baptist University is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $6,298 more per year; $21,550.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at MBBC than at Western Michigan University (about $2,516 more per year; $21,550.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maranatha Baptist University than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Maranatha Baptist University students ($11,048 vs. $8,850).

WMU vs. MBBC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 10 points higher than at MBBC (1100).
• Incoming MBBC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Maranatha Baptist University 940/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Maranatha Baptist University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; MBBC - Required.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at MBBC (3.38).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than MBBC (71.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 68.5% at MBBC.

WMU vs. MBBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and MBBC? 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 Maranatha Baptist University's (51%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than MBBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $35,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maranatha Baptist University graduates have a $11,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($15,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, MBBC graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($160 vs. $275).
• More MBBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.