WMU vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

WMU vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Buffalo State 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 SUNY Buffalo State University than WMU ($12,023 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 23.8% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($12,174 vs. $15,986).
• Western Michigan University is 78.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $6,719 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Buffalo State College than at Western Michigan University (about $619 more per year; $19,653.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($11,697 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or Buffalo State College? 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 Buffalo State College and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is the same as at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

WMU vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Buffalo State College? 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 SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $5,224 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($21,409 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($221 vs. $275).
• More Buffalo State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.