FLC vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO 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 FLC based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,544 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Lewis College is located in Durango, CO (Remote Town setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Fort Lewis College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Lewis College 14:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

FLC vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FLC 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 Fort Lewis College than WMU ($17,114 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 11% lower than at Fort Lewis College ($12,174 vs. $13,680).
• Western Michigan University is 53.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than FLC (about $5,294 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $9,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at FLC than at Western Michigan University (about $2,492 more per year; $21,526.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Lewis College than at Western Michigan University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 67.1% larger than aid received by Fort Lewis College students ($11,048 vs. $6,610).

FLC vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FLC 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 FLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Lewis College (1110) is the same as at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at FLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 1010/1210; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 18/26; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FLC - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: FLC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at FLC (3.3).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than FLC (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at FLC vs. 13.5% at WMU.

FLC vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FLC 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 Fort Lewis College's (37%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than FLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Lewis College graduates have a $7,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, FLC graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($201 vs. $275).
• More FLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.