WSU vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than WMU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 16,744 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Wayne 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: Wayne State University 14:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

WSU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU 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 Wayne State University than WMU ($14,416 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 14.6% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,174 vs. $14,252).
• Western Michigan University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $62 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at WSU than at Western Michigan University (about $13,003 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($12,953 vs. $11,048).

WSU vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU 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 WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 60 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 13.5% at WMU.

WSU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($22,258 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($230 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 38%)

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.