WMU vs. University of Akron

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

WMU University of Akron
Location Kalamazoo, MI Akron, OH
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 17,000 13,465
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #634 #838
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wmich.edu uakron.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WMU University of Akron
Tuition (In State) $14,523 $10,097
Tuition (Out of State) $18,154 $13,170
Room & Board $11,102 $12,410
Avg Net Price $20,030 $14,667
Avg Grant Aid $6,813 $8,525
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 96%

Admission

WMU University of Akron
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,501 12,282
Admitted 17,334 10,178
Acceptance Rate 84.6% 82.9%Open
Enrolled % 15.1% 20.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 18/25
SAT Range 990/1220 980/1230
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

WMU University of Akron
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

WMU University of Akron
Graduation Rate 56% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,633 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $275 $263

Diversity

WMU University of Akron
% Men 47% 50%
% Women 53% 50%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 74%
% Black 12% 12%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

WMU University of Akron
% In-State 79% 92%
% Out-of-State 19% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 13,465 students)

WMU vs. University of Akron Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or University of Akron?

  • Western Michigan University is 43.8% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($14,523.00 vs. $10,097.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.8% higher at WMU than University of Akron Main Campus ($18,154.00 vs. $13,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than WMU ($14,667 vs. $20,030)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 11.8% lower than costs at University of Akron Main Campus ($11,102 vs. $12,410)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Akron Main Campus than Western Michigan University (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Akron Main Campus students is 25.1% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($8,525 vs. $6,813)

WMU vs. University of Akron Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Akron Main Campus (1049) is 19 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming University of Akron students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of Akron (3.47)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than University of Akron (82.9%)

WMU vs. University of Akron Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WMU or University of Akron? 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 University of Akron and WMU.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (56% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $8,800 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $40,100)
  • University of Akron Main Campus students graduate with a $1,133 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($25,500 vs. $26,633)
  • University of Akron graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($263 vs. $275)
  • More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 45%)

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