UCCS vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, 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 UCCS based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

UCCS vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs than WMU ($16,942 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 5.8% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($12,174 vs. $12,918).
• Western Michigan University is 50.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $5,103 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.9% higher at UCCS than at Western Michigan University (about $5,302 more per year; $24,336.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (94% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 48.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($11,048 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS 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 UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 10 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming UCCS students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WMU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 13.5% at WMU.

UCCS vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UCCS graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $5,634 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($20,999 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($217 vs. $275).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.