WMU vs. Westminster College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Westminster College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Westminster College is in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Westminster College 12:1.

WMU vs. Westminster College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Westminster 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 Westminster College ($17,331 vs. $20,394).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 5.5% lower than at Westminster College ($12,174 vs. $12,880).
• Westminster College is 164.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $25,038 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.7% higher at Westminster College than at Western Michigan University (about $21,256 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 194.7% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($32,553 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. Westminster College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westminster College (1150) is 40 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Westminster College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Westminster College 1040/1258.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Westminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Westminster College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WMU (3.5).
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 12.1% at Westminster College.

WMU vs. Westminster College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Westminster 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Westminster College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Westminster College graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.