Boise State vs. WMU

Should I go to Boise State University or Western Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Boise State 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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Boise State University vs. Western Michigan University comparison
Boise State University Western Michigan University College 3 College 4
Boise State University Western Michigan University
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Overview

Boise State WMU
Location Boise, ID Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 26,670 16,693
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #886 #631
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website boisestate.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Boise State WMU
Tuition (In State) $5,941 $15,198
Tuition (Out of State) $24,135 $18,998
Room & Board $16,610 $11,713
Avg Net Price $19,037 $20,183
Avg Grant Aid $8,167 $8,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 78% 91%

Admission

Boise State WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,949 20,100
Admitted 13,391 17,020
Acceptance Rate 84% 84.7%
Enrolled % 23% 14.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/26 20/27
SAT Range 1030/1210 990/1220
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Boise State WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

Boise State WMU
Graduation Rate 29% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,929 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $237 $275

Diversity

Boise State WMU
% Men 4% 8%
% Women 8% 14%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 72%
% Black 2% 12%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Boise State WMU
% In-State 65% 78%
% Out-of-State 35% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Boise State University is larger than than WMU based on total student enrollment (26,670 students vs. 16,693 students)

Boise State vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State or WMU?

  • Western Michigan University is 155.8% more expensive to attend than Boise State for in-state tuition ($15,198.00 vs. $5,941.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27% higher at Boise State than Western Michigan University ($24,135.00 vs. $18,998.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boise State University than WMU ($19,037 vs. $20,183)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 41.8% lower than costs at Boise State University ($11,713 vs. $16,610)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Michigan University than Boise State University (91% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 0.6% larger than aid received Boise State University ($8,217 vs. $8,167)

Boise State vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Boise State University (1046) is 16 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Boise State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Boise State (3.37)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.7%) than Boise State (84%)

Boise State vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Boise State 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 Boise State.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Boise State University (56% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $7,300 more per year than Boise State graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $41,600)
  • Boise State University students graduate with a $3,704 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($22,929 vs. $26,633)
  • Boise State graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($237 vs. $275)
  • More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 54%)

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