WMU vs. Wheeling University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Wheeling University based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Wheeling University is in Wheeling, WV (Small City setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheeling University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Wheeling University 15:1.

WMU vs. Wheeling University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Wheeling University? 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 Wheeling University ($17,331 vs. $21,073).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 2.4% lower than at Wheeling University ($12,174 vs. $12,470).
• Wheeling University is 95.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $14,623 more per year; $29,875.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57% higher at Wheeling University than at Western Michigan University (about $10,841 more per year; $29,875.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheeling University than at Western Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheeling University students is 98.5% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($21,931 vs. $11,048).

WMU vs. Wheeling University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at Wheeling University (1070).
• Incoming WMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Wheeling University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Wheeling University 950/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Wheeling University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Wheeling University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Wheeling University (3.33).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Wheeling University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 10.2% at Wheeling University.

WMU vs. Wheeling University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Wheeling University? 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).

• Wheeling University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $800 more per year than Wheeling University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Wheeling University graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheeling University graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Wheeling University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.