WMU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 11,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

WMU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Wisconsin Whitewater than WMU ($12,709 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 33.5% lower than at Western Michigan University ($8,090 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 77% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $6,636 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at WMU than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $318 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (94% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 94.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($11,048 vs. $5,685).

WMU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Wisconsin-Whitewater and WMU.

• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

WMU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Wisconsin Whitewater's (54%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates have a $1,662 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,971 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.