WMU vs. Youngstown State

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Youngstown State based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 12,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Youngstown State University is in Youngstown, OH (Small City setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Youngstown State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Youngstown State University 20:1.

WMU vs. Youngstown State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Youngstown 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 Youngstown State University than WMU ($12,757 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Youngstown State University are 3.6% lower than at Western Michigan University ($11,730 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Youngstown State (about $4,139 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $11,113.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.9% higher at WMU than at Youngstown State University (about $7,561 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $11,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Youngstown State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 31.2% larger than aid received by Youngstown State University students ($11,048 vs. $8,420).

WMU vs. Youngstown State Admissions comparison

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

• Youngstown State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Youngstown State University (1120) is 10 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Youngstown State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Youngstown State University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Youngstown State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Youngstown State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Youngstown State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Youngstown State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Youngstown State (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 29.4% at Youngstown State.

WMU vs. Youngstown State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Youngstown 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 Youngstown State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Youngstown State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Youngstown State graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Youngstown State graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Youngstown State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 36%)

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.