WMU vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Northwest Missouri State University is in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Northwest Missouri State University 16:1.

WMU vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University than WMU ($16,790 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 0.9% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($12,174 vs. $12,282).
• Western Michigan University is 43.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest (about $4,641 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $10,611.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at WMU than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $1,710 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at Western Michigan University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($11,048 vs. $9,101).

WMU vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 30 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northwest (3.45).
• Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

WMU vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Missouri State University graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Northwest graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More Northwest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.