WMU vs. Marietta College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Marietta College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Marietta College is in Marietta, OH (Small City setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marietta College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Marietta College 10:1.

WMU vs. Marietta College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Marietta 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 Marietta College ($17,331 vs. $22,007).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 8.4% lower than at Marietta College ($12,174 vs. $13,296).
• Marietta College is 160% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $24,400 more per year; $39,652.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.3% higher at Marietta College than at Western Michigan University (about $20,618 more per year; $39,652.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marietta College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marietta College students is 185.6% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($31,554 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. Marietta College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marietta College (1120) is 10 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Marietta College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Marietta College 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Marietta College 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Marietta College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Marietta 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 Marietta College (79.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 13.4% at Marietta College.

WMU vs. Marietta College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Marietta 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Marietta College's (51%).
• Graduates from Marietta College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Marietta College graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marietta College graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Marietta College 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.