WMU vs. W&J

Should I go to Western Michigan University or Washington & Jefferson College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WMU or W&J 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. Washington & Jefferson College comparison
Western Michigan University Washington & Jefferson College College 3 College 4
Western Michigan University Washington & Jefferson College
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Overview

WMU W&J
Location Kalamazoo, MI Washington, PA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 17,000 1,151
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #634 #264
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wmich.edu washjeff.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WMU W&J
Tuition (In State) $14,523 $49,612
Tuition (Out of State) $18,154 $49,612
Room & Board $11,102 $13,524
Avg Net Price $20,030 $25,636
Avg Grant Aid $6,813 $38,963
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

WMU W&J
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,501 3,414
Admitted 17,334 3,007
Acceptance Rate 84.6% 88.1%
Enrolled % 15.1% 11.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 19/28
SAT Range 990/1220 1010/1250
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

Academics

WMU W&J
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

WMU W&J
Graduation Rate 56% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $56,900
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,633 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $275 $279

Diversity

WMU W&J
% Men 47% 52%
% Women 53% 48%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 81%
% Black 12% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

WMU W&J
% In-State 79% 72%
% Out-of-State 19% 28%

Campus

WMU W&J
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than W&J based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 1,151 students)

WMU vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or W&J?

  • Washington & Jefferson College is 241.6% more expensive to attend than WMU for in-state tuition ($49,612.00 vs. $14,523.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 173.3% higher at W&J than Western Michigan University ($49,612.00 vs. $18,154.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Michigan University than W&J ($20,030 vs. $25,636)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 21.8% lower than costs at Washington & Jefferson College ($11,102 vs. $13,524)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than Western Michigan University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 471.9% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($38,963 vs. $6,813)

WMU vs. W&J Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WMU (3.5)
  • W&J has a higher acceptance rate (88.1%) than WMU (84.6%)

WMU vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WMU or W&J? 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 W&J and WMU.

  • The graduation rate at W&J is higher than Western Michigan University (74% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn on average $8,000 more per year than WMU graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $48,900)
  • Western Michigan University students graduate with a $367 lower median federal student loan debt than W&J graduates. ($26,633 vs. $27,000)
  • WMU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than W&J graduates. ($275 vs. $279)
  • More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 54%)

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