WMU vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 709 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Ripon College 12:1.

WMU vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Ripon 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 Ripon College ($17,331 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 11.3% lower than at Western Michigan University ($10,800 vs. $12,174).
• Ripon College is 240.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $36,648 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172.7% higher at Ripon College than at Western Michigan University (about $32,866 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ripon College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 259.5% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($39,716 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or Ripon College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ripon College and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ripon College (1130) is 20 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming Ripon College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Michigan University 20/27; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman WMU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

WMU vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Ripon College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $300 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $1,367 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($26,633 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($275 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.