WMU vs. Ship

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in Shippensburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Ship based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 5,161 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is in Shippensburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 18:1.

WMU vs. Ship Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Ship? 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 Western Michigan University than Ship ($17,331 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 8.7% lower than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ($12,174 vs. $13,340).
• Western Michigan University is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ship (about $1,532 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $13,720.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at WMU than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (about $3,060 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $15,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 63.5% larger than aid received by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania students ($11,048 vs. $6,756).

WMU vs. Ship Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or Ship? 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 Ship and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 10 points higher than at Ship (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Ship - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Ship (3.23).
• Ship has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 17.5% at Ship.

WMU vs. Ship Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Ship? 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).

• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Ship graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Ship graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More Ship graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.