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Western Michigan University

WMU

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5200

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Campus Vibe

Large UniversityUrbanPublicBusiness Focus

Known for business

Western Michigan University is a public institution in Kalamazoo with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1108, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 12.7K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

58% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $53,562 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,701.

Established
1903
Motto
So that all may learn.
Mascot
Buster Bronco
Type
Public research university
Conference
Mid-American Conference
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

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85%Acceptance
1108SAT Avg
12,704Students
16:1Student:Faculty
58%Grad Rate
$53,562Earnings 10yr
$18,701Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Western Michigan University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate84.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1108

Reading & WritingMid: 565
500620
MathMid: 545
490600

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 24
2027

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

84.7%

Trend

SAT Avg

1108

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$15,298
Tuition (out-of-state)$19,098
Room & Board$11,713
Books & Supplies$1,128
Total Cost of Attendance$28,655
Average Net Price$18,701
Median Debt at Graduation$26,188
Monthly Payment (10yr)$278

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,557
$30–48K$10,010
$48–75K$18,710
$75–110K$23,468
$110K+$25,313

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

52.1%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$20,115

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

96

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

25

Burglary

5

Aggravated Assault

3

Robbery

8

Motor Vehicle Theft

10

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

25

Drug Arrests

19

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (230)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

80%

Negative
  • •80% first-year retention rate
  • •Active student organizations
  • •Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
12,704
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
First Generation
29%
Pell Grant Recipients
25%

Race & Ethnicity

White 69%
Black 8%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 3%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate57.8%
Freshman Retention79.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,356
10 Years$53,562

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

Wall Street Journal
#29
↑1
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#199
↑2
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Ice hockeyBasketballHockeyCross country

History & Fun Facts

  • •History Western State Normal School, 1915 On May 27, 1903, Michigan governor Aaron T.
  • •Kalamazoo was chosen as the new school's location on August 28, 1903.
  • •The university was first officially known as Western State Normal School and offered a two-year training program.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DTW Detroit116 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare119 mi
MKE Milwaukee125 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA743 mi · ~21h 28m drive
New York, NY610 mi · ~17h 37m drive
Hartford, CT665 mi · ~19h 13m drive
Providence, RI728 mi · ~21h 2m drive
Albany, NY604 mi · ~17h 27m drive
Syracuse, NY484 mi · ~13h 59m drive
Rochester, NY411 mi · ~11h 52m drive
Buffalo, NY345 mi · ~9h 58m drive
Philadelphia, PA567 mi · ~16h 23m drive
Pittsburgh, PA318 mi · ~9h 11m drive
Harrisburg, PA474 mi · ~13h 42m drive
Newark, NJ601 mi · ~17h 22m drive
Washington, DC506 mi · ~14h 37m drive
Baltimore, MD514 mi · ~14h 51m drive
Atlanta, GA593 mi · ~17h 8m drive
Charlotte, NC551 mi · ~15h 55m drive
Raleigh, NC584 mi · ~16h 52m drive
Miami, FL1182 mi · ~34h 9m drive
Orlando, FL979 mi · ~28h 17m drive
Tampa, FL1006 mi · ~29h 4m drive
Nashville, TN427 mi · ~12h 20m drive
New Orleans, LA887 mi · ~25h 37m drive
Richmond, VA543 mi · ~15h 41m drive
Chicago, IL107 mi · ~3h 5m drive
Detroit, MI131 mi · ~3h 47m drive
Minneapolis, MN425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
St. Louis, MO349 mi · ~10h 5m drive
Kansas City, MO518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Indianapolis, IN176 mi · ~5h 5m drive
Columbus, OH210 mi · ~6h 4m drive
Cleveland, OH209 mi · ~6h 2m drive
Milwaukee, WI128 mi · ~3h 42m drive
Dallas, TX897 mi · ~25h 55m drive
Houston, TX1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive
Austin, TX1068 mi · ~30h 51m drive
San Antonio, TX1142 mi · ~32h 59m drive
Los Angeles, CA1848 mi · ~53h 23m drive
San Francisco, CA1956 mi · ~56h 30m drive
San Diego, CA1838 mi · ~53h 6m drive
Seattle, WA1815 mi · ~52h 26m drive
Portland, OR1842 mi · ~53h 13m drive
Denver, CO1023 mi · ~29h 33m drive
Phoenix, AZ1559 mi · ~45h 2m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1358 mi · ~39h 14m drive
Honolulu, HI4350 mi · ~125h 40m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Detroit (DTW)116 miles
Rental car
174 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
232 min$139-232
Chicago O'Hare (ORD)119 miles
Rental car
179 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
238 min$143-238

Deadline Calendar

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Western Michigan University Application Checklist

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Decision Notifications

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Western Michigan University — v2 Preview — TourStack