C+
Above Average
Score: 59/100
Overall (traditional)
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
16,693
Total Enrollment
58%
Graduation Rate
80%
Retention Rate
16.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
85%
Acceptance Rate
$20,183
Avg Net Price
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Western Michigan University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
$53,562
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$45,356
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$26,188
Median debt at graduation
57.6%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
24
Median ACT
26.8%
Students receiving Pell grants
Typical debt at graduation equals about 49% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 54th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (MI wage index 0.90). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Western Michigan University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper Science and Engineering | $86,401 | $102,825 | +1% | — | — | $27,379 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $76,145 | $95,469 | -5% | #175 of 258 | #132 | $27,000 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $69,514 | $94,177 | -4% | #40 of 59 | #30 | $27,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $74,670 | $92,306 | -6% | #69 of 94 | #59 | — |
| Chemical Engineering | $68,632 | $91,777 | -7% | #118 of 158 | #85 | $27,758 |
| Computer Science | $60,979 | $90,876 | -15% | #238 of 349 | #213 | $27,000 |
| Air Transportation | $34,872 | $89,564 | +4% | #19 of 52 | #18 | $25,500 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $67,992 | $88,746 | -1% | #20 of 33 | #16 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,260 | $87,477 | -5% | #254 of 318 | #157 | $29,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $60,153 | $84,622 | +18% | #1 of 9 | #1 | $29,875 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $75,149 | $83,449 | -6% | #590 of 966 | #487 | $25,500 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $63,665 | $82,740 | +2% | #22 of 51 | #21 | $29,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $69,706 | $78,368 | -9% | #210 of 233 | #161 | $24,750 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $47,286 | $76,241 | -6% | #5 of 7 | #4 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,660 | $75,143 | +10% | #234 of 1176 | #147 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $55,770 | $74,566 | -19% | #356 of 459 | #319 | $29,646 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,787 | $72,353 | -13% | #299 of 452 | #262 | $25,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $48,115 | $71,870 | +6% | #69 of 187 | #51 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $53,081 | $71,371 | +3% | #169 of 516 | #121 | $24,250 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | — | $68,351 | +23% | #23 of 85 | #15 | $25,745 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $47,464 | $66,666 | -13% | #557 of 796 | #509 | $25,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $28,007 | $64,679 | +28% | #10 of 59 | #6 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $37,718 | $64,127 | +1% | #75 of 178 | #57 | $25,146 |
| Biology | $35,955 | $59,249 | +4% | #361 of 841 | #264 | $25,060 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $39,077 | $58,634 | +14% | #93 of 299 | #61 | $27,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | — | $58,164 | -3% | #86 of 138 | #65 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | $58,023 | -2% | #118 of 215 | #94 | $26,899 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $39,614 | $57,012 | +3% | #246 of 660 | #157 | $25,033 |
| Apparel and Textiles | — | $56,487 | -2% | #32 of 57 | #29 | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | — | $56,449 | +1% | #31 of 70 | #27 | $23,442 |
| Political Science and Government | $38,744 | $54,840 | -13% | #439 of 565 | #360 | $24,250 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $38,754 | $54,597 | -2% | #107 of 207 | #76 | $25,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $35,024 | $54,265 | -8% | #188 of 275 | #166 | $26,060 |
| Sociology | $35,399 | $51,835 | -2% | #241 of 462 | #157 | $24,449 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,169 | $51,446 | -9% | #399 of 660 | #337 | $23,362 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $47,868 | $50,665 | +0% | #99 of 177 | #83 | $31,000 |
| Psychology | $28,890 | $50,655 | +-0% | #480 of 1027 | #307 | $25,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,676 | $50,134 | -8% | #410 of 610 | #365 | $23,375 |
| Geography and Cartography | — | $49,921 | -14% | #104 of 117 | #93 | $22,250 |
| Social Work | $37,205 | $49,850 | -4% | #275 of 420 | #249 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,468 | $49,340 | -4% | #207 of 345 | #191 | $27,506 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $35,209 | $49,286 | +1% | #70 of 172 | #45 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | — | $48,065 | -32% | #247 of 253 | #231 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,296 | $47,898 | +1% | #341 of 680 | #310 | $30,750 |
| History | $27,087 | $46,909 | -7% | #321 of 459 | #268 | $29,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $28,765 | $46,543 | -22% | #38 of 42 | #33 | $24,885 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $26,502 | $45,391 | +4% | #71 of 144 | #38 | $27,000 |
| Dance | $21,540 | $45,108 | +13% | #19 of 58 | #13 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21,585 | $44,694 | +12% | #55 of 255 | #31 | $26,731 |
| English Language and Literature | — | $43,628 | -10% | #435 of 576 | #384 | $27,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
For parents & investors
The Western Michigan University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $253,839
- Avg rent near campus: $1,246/mo
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 49007 (7.3% cap, Kalamazoo)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
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🏆 Where Western Michigan University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $15,198 | $18,998 |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $30,770 | $34,570 |
Financial Aid
95%
Receive Any Aid
27%
Receive Pell Grants
53%
Take Out Loans
$20,183
Avg Net Price
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,557 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,010 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,710 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,468 |
| $110,001+ | $25,313 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General
266 grads/yr
Finance, General
202 grads/yr
Accounting
200 grads/yr
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
158 grads/yr
Psychology, General
143 grads/yr
E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce
128 grads/yr
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
105 grads/yr
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
104 grads/yr
Clinical/Medical Social Work
103 grads/yr
Marketing, Other
99 grads/yr
Social Work
75 grads/yr
Biomedical Sciences, General
72 grads/yr
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
68 grads/yr
Mechanical Engineering
64 grads/yr
Occupational Therapy/Therapist
64 grads/yr
Business Administration and Management, General
62 grads/yr
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
61 grads/yr
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
60 grads/yr
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
58 grads/yr
Physician Assistant
56 grads/yr
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Western Michigan University's top programs commonly pursue.
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
$102k/yr
216,700 jobs
Chief executives
$206k/yr
309,400 jobs
Financial managers
$162k/yr
868,600 jobs
Financial risk specialists
$106k/yr
60,500 jobs
General and operations managers
$103k/yr
3,712,900 jobs
Personal financial advisors
$102k/yr
326,000 jobs
Financial and investment analysts
$101k/yr
368,500 jobs
Business teachers, postsecondary
$97k/yr
103,100 jobs
Student Demographics
16,693
Total Students
53%
Women
87%
Traditional Age (18-24)
6%
Off-Campus Renters
👥 Race & Ethnicity
White
67%
Hispanic
8%
Black
8%
Asian
3%
Two or More
4%
Non-Resident
8%
🏠 Living Arrangements
On Campus
86%
Off-Campus (Renters)
6%
With Family
8%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~918 students need off-campus housing
💻 Learning Mode
In-Person
41%
Hybrid (Some Online)
47%
Fully Online
12%
📊 Age Distribution
18-24 (Traditional)
87%
25-64 (Adult)
9%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Western Michigan University?
Western Michigan University has an acceptance rate of 85%.
This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Western Michigan University?
Tuition at Western Michigan University is
$15,198 for in-state students
and $18,998 for out-of-state students
.
However, the average net price after financial aid is $20,183.
What is the graduation rate at Western Michigan University?
The graduation rate at Western Michigan University is 58%.
This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Western Michigan University a good school?
Western Michigan University has a Repit College Score of 59/100 (Grade: C+).
Our rating evaluates five key factors:
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Western Michigan University?
Western Michigan University has a total enrollment of 16,693 students.
Most students (87%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near Western Michigan University?
Yes! Approximately 6% of students at Western Michigan University live off-campus (not with family).
That's roughly 918 students who need rental housing near campus.
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Western Michigan University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Western Michigan University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology