WMU vs. Southern Oregon University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Southern Oregon University based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 5,113 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Southern Oregon University is in Ashland, OR (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; Southern Oregon University 23:1.

WMU vs. Southern Oregon University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or Southern Oregon University? 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 Southern Oregon University ($17,331 vs. $17,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 28.3% lower than at Southern Oregon University ($12,174 vs. $16,968).
• Western Michigan University is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Oregon University (about $2,490 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $12,762.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.5% higher at Southern Oregon University than at Western Michigan University (about $12,853 more per year; $31,887.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Southern Oregon University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 25.7% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($11,048 vs. $8,788).

WMU vs. Southern Oregon University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU or Southern Oregon University? 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 Southern Oregon University and WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is the same as at Southern Oregon University (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Southern Oregon University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Southern Oregon University 980/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Southern Oregon University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Southern Oregon University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southern Oregon University (3.34).
• Southern Oregon University has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 29.3% at Southern Oregon University.

WMU vs. Southern Oregon University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and Southern Oregon University? 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 Southern Oregon University's (33%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Southern Oregon University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have a $3,142 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($23,491 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Southern Oregon University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($242 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 52%)

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.