WMU vs. University of Charleston

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,062 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); University of Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

WMU vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston ($17,331 vs. $20,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 0.9% lower than at University of Charleston ($12,174 vs. $12,280).
• University of Charleston is 121.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $18,548 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.6% higher at University of Charleston than at Western Michigan University (about $14,766 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Charleston than at Western Michigan University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 136.5% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($26,132 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at University of Charleston (1070).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Charleston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; University of Charleston 985/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; University of Charleston 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; University of Charleston - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

WMU vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston's (51%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than University of Charleston graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $6,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($211 vs. $275).
• More University of Charleston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.