WMU vs. Wright State

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Wright State University Main Campus in Dayton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Wright State based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 10,603 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Wright State University Main Campus is in Dayton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wright State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Wright State University Main Campus 16:1.

WMU vs. Wright State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Wright State? 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 Wright State University Main Campus than WMU ($15,254 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wright State University Main Campus are 7.6% lower than at Western Michigan University ($11,250 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 32.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wright State (about $3,730 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $11,522.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at Wright State than at Western Michigan University (about $2,188 more per year; $21,222.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Wright State University Main Campus (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Wright State University Main Campus students ($11,048 vs. $8,942).

WMU vs. Wright State Admissions comparison

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

• Wright State University Main Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 40 points higher than at Wright State (1070).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Wright State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Wright State University Main Campus 913/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Wright State University Main Campus 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Wright State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wright State Aug 23, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Wright State (3.41).
• Wright State has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 20.4% at Wright State.

WMU vs. Wright State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Wright State? 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Wright State University Main Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Wright State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wright State University Main Campus graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Wright State graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wright State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

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.