Overview
Enrollment
Western Michigan University, established in 1903, occupies a main campus spanning over 1,200 acres in Kalamazoo, Michigan, located midway between Chicago and Detroit. The university's campus features a mix of historic East Campus buildings and modern facilities, including specialized aviation education centers at nearby Battle Creek Executive Airport. WMU maintains a comprehensive academic portfolio with particular strengths in aviation, engineering, business, and health sciences, while its College of Fine Arts ranks among the largest arts education programs in the United States. The university provides on-campus housing through multiple residence halls and apartment complexes, primarily serving first-year and sophomore students. As a member of the Mid-American Conference, WMU's athletic teams, known as the Broncos, compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with notable programs in hockey and football.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
WMU is rated within the lower 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Western Michigan University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#631 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#208 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#17 in Best Colleges in Michigan
#9 in Best Public Colleges in Michigan
#76 in Best Value Colleges in Michigan
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 990/1220 |
| ACT | 20/27 |
| GPA | 3.5 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $40 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Michigan Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,128 |
| Other Fees | $100 |
| Room and Board | $11,713 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,631 |
| Total One Year Cost | $30,770 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,128 |
| Other Fees | $100 |
| Room and Board | $11,713 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,631 |
| Total One Year Cost | $34,570 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 22% |
| Education | 11% |
| Health Professions | 8% |
| Communication | 6% |
| Engineering | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering WMU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=172699 IPEDS survey data for Western Michigan University.
Current students may use the Western Michigan University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025