WMU vs. Walsh College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Walsh University in North Canton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Walsh College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,192 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Walsh University is in North Canton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Walsh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Walsh University 14:1.

WMU vs. Walsh College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Walsh 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 Western Michigan University than Walsh College ($17,331 vs. $23,933).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Walsh University are 0% lower than at Western Michigan University ($12,170 vs. $12,174).
• Walsh University is 134.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $20,493 more per year; $35,745.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.8% higher at Walsh College than at Western Michigan University (about $16,711 more per year; $35,745.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Walsh University than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Walsh University students is 116.7% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($23,946 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. Walsh College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or Walsh 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 Walsh College and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Walsh University (1160) is 50 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Walsh College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Walsh University 1040/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Walsh University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Walsh College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Walsh College (3.38).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Walsh College (70.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 19.5% at Walsh College.

WMU vs. Walsh College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Walsh 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).

• Walsh University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Walsh College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $1,200 lower median loan debt than Walsh College graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,833).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Walsh College graduates ($275 vs. $287).
• More Walsh College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.