WMU vs. UT Martin

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than UT Martin based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 7,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WMU vs. UT Martin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or UT Martin? 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 Martin than WMU ($11,955 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Martin are 38% lower than at Western Michigan University ($7,544 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 44.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Martin (about $4,692 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $10,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at WMU than at The University of Tennessee Martin (about $2,434 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $16,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Martin than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Martin students ($11,048 vs. $10,861).

WMU vs. UT Martin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 20 points higher than at UT Martin (1090).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UT Martin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; The University of Tennessee Martin 970/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; The University of Tennessee Martin 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; UT Martin - Required.
• Accepted freshman UT Martin students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WMU (3.5).
• UT Martin has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 22.8% at UT Martin.

WMU vs. UT Martin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU and UT Martin? 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 Martin's (48%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than UT Martin graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Martin graduates have a $3,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, UT Martin graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($242 vs. $275).
• More UT Martin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.