WMU vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Michigan University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

WMU vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than WMU ($15,347 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 3.4% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,174 vs. $12,604).
• Western Michigan University is 46% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $4,804 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at WMU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $522 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 10.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($11,048 vs. $10,038).

WMU vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is the same as at UTC (1110).
• Incoming WMU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UTC (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

WMU vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $5,841 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($20,792 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($214 vs. $275).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.