WMU vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

WMU vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or W&J? 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 W&J ($17,331 vs. $22,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 17.2% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($12,174 vs. $14,710).
• Washington & Jefferson College is 92.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $14,140 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.4% higher at W&J than at Western Michigan University (about $10,358 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 82.4% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($20,152 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or W&J? 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 W&J and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington & Jefferson College (1130) is 20 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at W&J (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than W&J (80.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 12.6% at W&J.

WMU vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than W&J graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.