WMU vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Should I go to Western Michigan University or Middle Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WMU or Middle Tennessee State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Michigan University vs. Middle Tennessee State University comparison
Western Michigan University Middle Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Western Michigan University Middle Tennessee State University
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Overview

WMU Middle Tennessee State University
Location Kalamazoo, MI Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 16,693 20,183
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #631 #666
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wmich.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WMU Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $15,198 $7,536
Tuition (Out of State) $18,998 $27,072
Room & Board $11,713 $11,704
Avg Net Price $20,183 $12,700
Avg Grant Aid $8,217 $9,942
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 93%

Admission

WMU Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,100 14,763
Admitted 17,020 10,039
Acceptance Rate 84.7% 68%
Enrolled % 14.5% 31.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 19/26
SAT Range 990/1220 1000/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

WMU Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

WMU Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 56% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,633 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $275 $224

Diversity

WMU Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 8% 5%
% Women 14% 8%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 64%
% Black 12% 22%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

WMU Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 78% 89%
% Out-of-State 21% 9%

Campus

WMU Middle Tennessee State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than WMU based on total student enrollment (20,183 students vs. 16,693 students)

WMU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Western Michigan University is 101.7% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($15,198.00 vs. $7,536.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.5% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Western Michigan University ($27,072.00 vs. $18,998.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Middle Tennessee State University than WMU ($12,700 vs. $20,183)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 0.1% lower than costs at Western Michigan University ($11,704 vs. $11,713)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than Western Michigan University (93% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students is 21% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($9,942 vs. $8,217)

WMU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or Middle Tennessee State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Middle Tennessee State University or WMU .

  • The average SAT score at Middle Tennessee State University (1031) is 1 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming WMU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Middle Tennessee State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WMU (3.5)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.7%) than Middle Tennessee State University (68%)

WMU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WMU or Middle Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Middle Tennessee State University and WMU.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (56% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $42,300)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $4,875 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($21,758 vs. $26,633)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($224 vs. $275)
  • More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/