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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 81.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 58%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is June 1. The transfer application deadline is July 27.
To find out more about what Western Michigan University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
13,860
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
58%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Here are the most vital data you need to know about admission at Western Michigan University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 18,359 in 2025. Western Michigan University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
54% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 4.6% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 2.68% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 24.91% between 1,200 and 1,399, 44.22% between 1,000 and 1,199, 24.83% between 800 and 999, 3.28% between 600 and 799, and 0.07% of the students between 400 and 599. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 18.42, 38.6 between 24-29, 38.6 in the range between 18-23, and 4.39 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 25 and the average GPA was 3.53. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 557 and an average SAT Math score of 536.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by June 1. If you are applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is July 27.
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. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Western Michigan University was 81.1% in 2025, a reflection of the high standards and excellent 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
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 17,605 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 17.6% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 13,860, 514 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 934.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,567 male and 6,426 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 364, and the number of Black American students was 1,033. 1,168 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 602 identified with more than one race. The school also had 6 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 41 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 291 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Western Michigan University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees for area resident were $15,814, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $19,767.5 for students coming from a different state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $19,767.5, as well. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $140.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,768 | $140 | $19,907 |
| In-State | $15,814 | $140 | $15,954 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate price 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
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, room and board cost at Western Michigan University amounted to $12,661 a year. If you only needed a room on the campus, you had to pay $6,530 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 15,814 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,661 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,128 |
| Total Expense | $ 29,603 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid available at Western Michigan University.
The most recent records show that 1,411 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $16,229.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
5,464 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. 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 was estimated to be 5,782. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $23,968,690, and state $12,481,954. The students of Western Michigan University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $37,639,265, and external in the amount of $5,749,560.
$4,188
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. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
516 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 236 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $14,310,884. 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 $4,510,546 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Western Michigan University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 1,192 teachers at this school. This number included 554 men and 638 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Western Michigan University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Western Michigan University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Western Michigan University.
Its campus is 1,270 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
This school has 311 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. That includes sororities and fraternities. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Latino Student Alliance, followed by Cru and National Pan-Hellenic Council. Other popular organizations at Western Michigan University are International Student Council and Western Student Association.
Students who have a talent for music can join the Western Michigan University band or chorus. For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. For students interested in 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 required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. 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 everything most students need.
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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 65,000 USD.
$65,000
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 uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Western Michigan University is 84%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Western Michigan University is 81.1%.
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.