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Kalamazoo, MI
Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Western Michigan University (WMU) is a renowned public research institution with a rich history and a strong commitment to providing quality education. Founded in 1903, WMU offers over 240 undergraduate programs and 98 graduate programs, ranging from business and engineering to the arts and sciences. The university is known for its dedication to academic excellence, innovative research, and experiential learning opportunities, thus attracting students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
WMU's campus is spread across 1,200 acres and offers state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research laboratories, and specialized centers. Students have access to numerous resources designed to support their academic and personal growth, such as libraries, career services, counseling centers, and student organizations. The university takes pride in its diverse and inclusive campus community, offering a range of support services to ensure the success and well-being of every student.
WMU is also known for its strong ties to the surrounding community through partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and government agencies. These collaborations provide students with valuable internships, co-op programs, and research opportunities, allowing them to enhance their skills and gain practical experience in their chosen fields. Moreover, the university's commitment to community engagement is evident through various outreach initiatives, volunteering programs, and the strong emphasis on civic responsibility.
Overall, Western Michigan University offers a comprehensive and top-quality education to students from various backgrounds. With its commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning, and community engagement, WMU provides a thriving environment for students to develop their skills, pursue their passions, and make a positive impact on society.
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, MI and set in an urban environment. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 84%. The freshman retention rate at Western Michigan University is 79.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 58%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is June 1. Here are some latest information on important things to consider about Western Michigan University.
Quick Facts
13,874
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
84%
Acceptance Rate
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
58%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. What are the admission requirements for Western Michigan University?
In 2024, the school accepted 17,020 new students. Western Michigan University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
57.8% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 5.8% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 2.52% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 26.75% between 1,200 and 1,399, 45.73% between 1,000 and 1,199, 22.34% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2.66% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 12.6, 39.9 between 24-29, 35 in the range between 18-23, 11.9 between 12-17, and 0.6 between 6-11.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2024 was 23 and the average GPA was 3.53. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 559 and an average SAT Math score of 550.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications to Western Michigan University is June 1.
84%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for Western Michigan University was 79.8% in 2024, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 58%.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the optimal fit for you is not easy. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Western Michigan University in 2024 was 17,559.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 17.9. There was a total of 13,874 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 604 international students. 1,038 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,705 male and 6,322 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 260 full-time graduate male and 623 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 330 Asian students and 994 Afro-American students in 2024. 1,146 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 539 identified with more than one race. The school also had 6 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 46 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 285 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Western Michigan University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Western Michigan University? Here is what you need to know.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $14,494. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $18,118. For international students, tuition fees at this school came to $18,118, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $100 in 2024.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $18,118 | $100 | $18,218 |
| In-State | $14,494 | $100 | $14,594 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to allocate about $1,128 for books and supplies during their time at Western Michigan University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2024, room and board cost at Western Michigan University amounted to $11,713 a year. If you only wanted a dorm room, you had to pay $5,980 for the 2024 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $5,980.
| Tuition | $ 14,494 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,713 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,128 |
| Total Expense | $ 27,335 |
Financial Aid
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Western Michigan University.
The most recent records show that 1,449 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $14,295 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 5,375 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Western Michigan University isn't available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 5,825. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $18,927,121, and state $6,724,908. The students of Western Michigan University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $35,131,275, and external in the amount of $4,666,351.
$3,889
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 492 students overall (including freshmen) at Western Michigan University in 2024. 256 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $13,521,641. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $4,220,888 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Western Michigan University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 1,190 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 576 men and 614 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Western Michigan University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Western Michigan University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at Western Michigan University.
Its campus spans 1,270 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 265 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. The most popular student organization is FOCUS Kalamazoo, followed by Black Student Union and International Student Council. Other popular organizations among the students at Western Michigan University are Campus Activities Board and Western student Association.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Western Michigan University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? Western Michigan University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Western Michigan University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Western Michigan University.
All in all, campus life at Western Michigan University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Western Michigan University.
Career Counselling
At Western Michigan University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 55,000 USD.
$55,000
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, MI.
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Western Michigan University doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Western Michigan University is 84%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Western Michigan University is 79.8%.
Contact Information
Western Michigan University,
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI
49008
269 387-1000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.