WMU vs. Carthage

Western Michigan University and Carthage College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Michigan University
Carthage College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WMU (84.6% admitted vs 87.1%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: WMU. Average net price is $17,331 vs $27,066 at Carthage.
  • Graduation: WMU 56% vs Carthage 59%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WMU $48,900 vs Carthage $48,800 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Michigan University Carthage College
Acceptance rate
WMU more selective
WMU84.6%
Carthage87.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WMU higher
WMU990-1220
Carthage1000-1205
Average net price
WMU $9,735 less
WMU$17,331
Carthage$27,066
In-state tuition
WMU $23,498 less
WMU$15,252
Carthage$38,750
Out-of-state tuition
WMU $19,716 less
WMU$19,034
Carthage$38,750
Graduation rate
Carthage +3 pts
WMU56%
Carthage59%
Median earnings (10 years)
WMU +$100
WMU$48,900
Carthage$48,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at WMU and Carthage with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at WMU Check my chances at Carthage
  • Applied
  • WMU 21,701
  • Carthage 7,777
  • Admitted
  • WMU 18,359
  • Carthage 6,771
  • Acceptance rate
  • WMU 84.6%
  • Carthage 87.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WMU 13.5%
  • Carthage 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WMU 1110
  • Carthage 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • WMU 23
  • Carthage 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • WMU 3.5
  • Carthage 3.36
  • Typical high school grades
  • WMU A-
  • Carthage B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WMU Moderate
  • Carthage Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WMU
  • Carthage
  • SAT range
  • WMU 990-1220
  • Carthage 1000-1205
  • ACT range
  • WMU 20-27
  • Carthage 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WMU Test-free
  • Carthage Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WMU
  • Carthage
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WMU $15,252
  • Carthage $38,750
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WMU $19,034
  • Carthage $38,750
  • Room & board
  • WMU $12,174
  • Carthage $13,450
  • Average net price
  • WMU $17,331
  • Carthage $27,066
  • Average grant aid
  • WMU $11,048
  • Carthage $23,784
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WMU 94%
  • Carthage 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WMU 56%
  • Carthage 59%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WMU $48,900
  • Carthage $48,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • WMU 54%
  • Carthage 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WMU $26,633
  • Carthage $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WMU $275
  • Carthage $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WMU 16:1
  • Carthage 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • WMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Engineering (6%)
  • Carthage
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • WMU Kalamazoo, MI
  • Carthage Kenosha, WI
  • Setting
  • WMU Small City
  • Carthage Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • WMU 16,744
  • Carthage 2,844
  • Type
  • WMU Public 4 Year
  • Carthage Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WMU #643
  • Carthage #663

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,844 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 9.5% lower than at Carthage College ($12,174 vs. $13,450).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 103.6% higher at Carthage than at Western Michigan University (about $19,716 more per year; $38,750 vs. $19,034).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 115.3% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($23,784 vs. $11,048).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WMU than at Carthage (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at WMU, test optional at Carthage.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WMU average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Carthage (3.36).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($275 vs. $279).
  • More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 54%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Michigan University
Carthage College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges