Saginaw Valley State University vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 6,822 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Saginaw Valley 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: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 1.3% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($12,174 vs. $12,340).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Western Michigan University (about $11,416 more per year; $30,450 vs. $19,034).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($13,512 vs. $11,048).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WMU than at Saginaw Valley State University (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Saginaw Valley State University, test-free at WMU.
• Enrolled first-year students at WMU average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 48%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.