WMU vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

WMU vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than WMU ($12,236 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 24.6% lower than at Western Michigan University ($9,182 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 41.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $4,492 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at USC Aiken than at Western Michigan University (about $2,184 more per year; $21,218.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 24.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($11,048 vs. $8,904).

WMU vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 10 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

WMU vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and USC Aiken? 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 South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($268 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.