WMU vs. Otterbein University

Should I go to Western Michigan University or Otterbein University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WMU or Otterbein 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. Otterbein University comparison
Western Michigan University Otterbein University College 3 College 4
Western Michigan University Otterbein University
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Overview

WMU Otterbein University
Location Kalamazoo, MI Westerville, OH
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 16,693 2,357
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #631 #537
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wmich.edu otterbein.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WMU Otterbein University
Tuition (In State) $15,198 $34,424
Tuition (Out of State) $18,998 $34,424
Room & Board $11,713 $12,968
Avg Net Price $20,183 $22,242
Avg Grant Aid $8,217 $25,535
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 100%

Admission

WMU Otterbein University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,100 3,498
Admitted 17,020 2,914
Acceptance Rate 84.7% 83.3%
Enrolled % 14.5% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 20/27
SAT Range 990/1220 1035/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

WMU Otterbein University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

WMU Otterbein University
Graduation Rate 56% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,633 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $275 $279

Diversity

WMU Otterbein University
% Men 8% 3%
% Women 14% 7%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 76%
% Black 12% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

WMU Otterbein University
% In-State 78% 88%
% Out-of-State 21% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (16,693 students vs. 2,357 students)

WMU vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Otterbein University?

  • Otterbein University is 126.5% more expensive to attend than WMU for in-state tuition ($34,424.00 vs. $15,198.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 81.2% higher at Otterbein University than Western Michigan University ($34,424.00 vs. $18,998.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Michigan University than Otterbein University ($20,183 vs. $22,242)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 10.7% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($11,713 vs. $12,968)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Otterbein University than Western Michigan University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Otterbein University students is 210.8% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($25,535 vs. $8,217)

WMU vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Otterbein University (1120) is 90 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Otterbein University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WMU (3.5)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.7%) than Otterbein University (83.3%)

WMU vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WMU or Otterbein 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 Otterbein University and WMU.

  • The graduation rate at Otterbein University is higher than Western Michigan University (62% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $4,100 more per year than Otterbein University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $44,800)
  • Western Michigan University students graduate with a $367 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($26,633 vs. $27,000)
  • WMU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Otterbein University graduates. ($275 vs. $279)
  • More Otterbein University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 54%)

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