Bellarmine University vs. WMU

Should I go to Bellarmine University or Western Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bellarmine University or WMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bellarmine University vs. Western Michigan University comparison
Bellarmine University Western Michigan University College 3 College 4
Bellarmine University Western Michigan University
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Overview

Bellarmine University WMU
Location Louisville, KY Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 2,970 17,000
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #375 #634
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bellarmine.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bellarmine University WMU
Tuition (In State) $44,040 $14,523
Tuition (Out of State) $44,040 $18,154
Room & Board $9,714 $11,102
Avg Net Price $22,813 $20,030
Avg Grant Aid $36,264 $6,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Bellarmine University WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,878 20,501
Admitted 3,404 17,334
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 84.6%
Enrolled % 16% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/27
SAT Range 1100/1290 990/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2024

Academics

Bellarmine University WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

Bellarmine University WMU
Graduation Rate 66% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,300 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $258 $275

Diversity

Bellarmine University WMU
% Men 37% 47%
% Women 63% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 72%
% Black 4% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Bellarmine University WMU
% In-State 67% 79%
% Out-of-State 31% 19%

Campus

Bellarmine University WMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Bellarmine University based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 2,970 students)

Bellarmine University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University or WMU?

  • Bellarmine University is 203.2% more expensive to attend than WMU for in-state tuition ($44,040.00 vs. $14,523.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 142.6% higher at Bellarmine University than Western Michigan University ($44,040.00 vs. $18,154.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Michigan University than Bellarmine University ($20,030 vs. $22,813)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 14.3% lower than costs at Western Michigan University ($9,714 vs. $11,102)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bellarmine University than Western Michigan University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 432.3% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($36,264 vs. $6,813)

Bellarmine University vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bellarmine University or WMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WMU or Bellarmine University .

  • The average SAT score at Bellarmine University (1120) is 90 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42)
  • Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than WMU (84.6%)

Bellarmine University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bellarmine University or WMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WMU and Bellarmine University.

  • The graduation rate at Bellarmine University is higher than Western Michigan University (66% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Bellarmine University earn on average $1,400 more per year than WMU graduates after ten years. ($50,300 vs. $48,900)
  • Bellarmine University students graduate with a $1,633 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,633)
  • Bellarmine University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($258 vs. $275)
  • More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/