Fitchburg State vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Fitchburg State vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or WMU? 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 Fitchburg State University than WMU ($15,340 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 21.2% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($12,174 vs. $15,452).
• Western Michigan University is 34.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $3,906 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at WMU than at Fitchburg State University (about $1,608 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Fitchburg State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($11,539 vs. $11,048).

Fitchburg State vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 40 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Fitchburg State vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and WMU? 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $3,948 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($22,685 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($234 vs. $275).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 54%)

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.