Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Overview

Western Michigan University is a public, state school in an urban setting in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Western Michigan University was founded in 1903 and now enrolls around 20,490 students a year, including 16,554 undergrads. Western Michigan University offers on-campus housing for up to 5,232 students. Most students live in off campus housing, and 70% of students spend their weekends on campus.

There are many ways for students to get involved at Western Michigan University! Love music or performing? Join a campus band, sing in a chorus, or perform with one of Western Michigan University's theater groups.

Interested in journalism or communications? Western Michigan University students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Thinking of pledging? Western Michigan University has fraternities and sororities.

Planning to play sports? Western Michigan University has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Western Michigan University on the Student Life page.

Learn more about life at Western Michigan University on the Student Life page.

Is Western Michigan University a Good School?

The definition of a "good school" is different for different people. Admissions criteria, acceptance rate and average GPA are good indicators of how selective an institution is, but they don't tell you how happy or successful students are. There are a few statistics that can give you a good idea of how satisfied students are and how well a school supports its students.

Let's take a look at each of these factors to get a clearer sense of what Western Michigan University offers and if it sounds like the right college for you.

Western Michigan University Acceptance Rate 2021

It is moderately difficult to get into Western Michigan University. Around 85% of applicants get into Western Michigan University each year. Out of 16,582 applications received in 2021, 14,085 students were offered admission.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Western Michigan University

Retention is the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. This is a way to get a sense of how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Out of all the first-year, full-time undergrads who start at Western Michigan University, around 78% are still enrolled the next year. Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate for undergrads is 57%. The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.

Job Outlook Western Michigan University Graduates

Job placement rates after graduation and average starting salaries can all give important clues about the value of a degree from a specific school. Within six months of graduating, 75% of graduates receive at least one full-time job offer.

Recent Western Michigan University grads have an average starting salary of $45,000 a year. The average starting salary for all 2021 graduates was around $60,000 a year, though these numbers vary widely by major.

Western Michigan University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students. Western Michigan University's endowment was valued at $401.1 million in 2021, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, Western Michigan University spends about $12,438 a year.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Western Michigan University

Cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need. Western Michigan University meets 55% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $10,772 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2021 was around $34,858 per student, not including those with no debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2022-2023 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2021

Some financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA early. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! No one should ever pay to fill out the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid, (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Western Michigan University. Based on this information, how does Western Michigan University sound? Remember, the best school for one person may be a terrible fit for someone else! So ask yourself: Is Western Michigan University a good school for you?

If Western Michigan University seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

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Where is Western Michigan University?

Western Michigan University is located in the urban setting of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

If you want to see Western Michigan University for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 94 to Kalamazoo, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo are like without leaving home.

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