WMU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in Slippery Rock, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 8,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is in Slippery Rock, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

WMU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($17,331 vs. $18,252).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are 10.4% lower than at Western Michigan University ($10,902 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 44.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (about $4,684 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $10,568.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at WMU than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (about $4,358 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $14,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (94% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 61% larger than aid received by Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania students ($11,048 vs. $6,862).

WMU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 20 points higher than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (1090).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 980/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have the same average high school GPA (3.5) as students at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 33.5% at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

WMU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? 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).

• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.