Western Michigan University — College Profile

About

Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo is a comprehensive public research institution best known for its nationally acclaimed College of Aviation, strong engineering and fine arts divisions, and the Haworth College of Business, which features a top-ranked integrated supply management program. Campus life offers an engaging Midwest college town vibe anchored by vibrant NCAA Division I athletics, underscored by an exceptionally passionate hockey following known as the Lawson Lunatics. What truly sets WMU apart is its dedicated aviation campus in nearby Battle Creek, which houses one of the largest and most technologically advanced collegiate flight training fleets in the United States.

Wikipedia:Western Michigan University is a public research university in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. It was initially established as Western State Normal School in 1903 by Governor Aaron T. Bliss for the training of teachers. It was renamed Western Michigan University in 1957.

Location

Kalamazoo, MI, 49008-5200 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

MDW · Chicago Midway

115 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$15,252$19,034

Housing & food (on campus)$12,174$12,174

Books & supplies$1,128$1,128

Cost of attendance$29,237$41,346

Average net price$15,273Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$19,034

In-state: $15,252

Housing & food (on campus)$12,174

Books & supplies$1,128

Cost of attendance$41,346

In-state: $29,237

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $15,273

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: wmich.edu

How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27

Western Michigan University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$20,525

Fees$140

Books & supplies$1,128

Personal expenses$2,046

Transportation$2,880

Total published by the school$41,346

Source: wmich.edu · checked Sep 28, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$5,263

$30–48k

$5,734

$48–75k

$13,833

$75–110k

$18,307

$110k+

$23,625

Your family's actual price → Western Michigan University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2025-26

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$3,651

First-years who got one812

Source: Western Michigan University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

58%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

32%

Back for yr 2

81%

Transferred

26%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

58% graduated · 27% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 14% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$45,356

10 yrs after entry$53,562

Debt

Median at graduation$26,188

Monthly payment$278

Middle 50% owe$9k–$30k

90th percentile$39,400

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

85%

Test policy

Test optional

Checked Sep 2026

ACT midpoint

Wondering if Western Michigan University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list

Financial aid & net cost estimates

Deep dives on any school

Scholarship search

Get your college list →See a sample college plan first

Essay prompts

How much essays count at Western Michigan University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Western Michigan University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Western Michigan University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 48%Women 52%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

16 : 1

Pell grant

27%

First-gen

29%

Family income

$51,033

Independent

18%

Veterans

Age at entry

21.0

Part-time

13%

Race & ethnicity

White

68%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Women's
Gymnastics
Women's
Ice Hockey
Men's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$45,356

After 10 yrs

$53,562

Finance and Financial Management Services237

Marketing227

Business Administration, Management and Operations213

Air Transportation207

Accounting and Related Services177

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other171

Biology, General123

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas116

Psychology, General111

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness106

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing96

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods87

Mechanical Engineering79

Criminal Justice and Corrections79

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication78

Computer Science71

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$755M

Full-time faculty

63%

Faculty salary

$10,830/mo

Teaching spend

$13,167

per student

Federal loans

47%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R1 — very high research

$62M research spending · 112 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, selective admissions