WMU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than WMU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 16,744 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

WMU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than WMU ($15,169 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 16.5% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,174 vs. $14,582).
• Western Michigan University is 51% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $5,148 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.3% higher at WVU than at Western Michigan University (about $9,574 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University as at West Virginia University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($12,363 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 10 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WVU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WVU (3.45).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

WMU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and WVU? 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).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $2,632 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,001 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($248 vs. $275).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.