Western Michigan University

https://wmich.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$13,334

10.3% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$19,749

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

2.07%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

82.8%

18,853 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

18,266

71.3% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

56.3%

1,660 Graduates

About

Western Michigan University is a higher education institution located in Kalamazoo County, MI. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Michigan University were Other Multidisciplinary Studies (216 degrees awarded), General Finance (155 degrees), and Accounting (146 degrees).

In 2021, 5,153 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Michigan University. 55.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 44.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,544 degrees), 7.23 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (490 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Michigan University is $13,334, which is $−15,658 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

Photo by Daniel X. O'Neil

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Michigan University is $13,334, which is $−15,658 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $19,749.

In 2021, 90% of undergraduate students attending Western Michigan University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 51% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$13,334

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Western Michigan University was $13,334. The cost of tuition at Western Michigan University is $−15,658 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Michigan University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$19,749

2021 Value

9.16%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Western Michigan University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $19,749. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Western Michigan University grew by 9.16%.

This chart compares the average net price of Western Michigan University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$10,567

Room and Board

$987

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Michigan University was of $10,567 in 2021. The cost of room and board did not change between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $987. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Western Michigan University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

90%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

51%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

90% of undergraduate students at Western Michigan University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 57.9% with respect to 2020, when 57% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Western Michigan University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2.07%

2019 Default Rate

107

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Western Michigan University was 2.07%, which represents 107 out of the 5161 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Western Michigan University received 18,853 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 13.7% annual growth. Out of those 18,853 applicants, 15,612 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 82.8% acceptance rate.

There were 18,266 students enrolled at Western Michigan University in 2021. 37% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Michigan University has an overall enrollment yield of 13.5%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

82.8%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

15,612

Accepted Out of 18,853

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Michigan University was 82.8% (15,612 admissions from 18,853 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 84.9%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 13.7%, while admissions grew by 10.8%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Michigan University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

37%

Submission Percentage (2021)

783

Scores Submitted (2021)

37% of enrolled first-time students at Western Michigan University in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Western Michigan University had a total enrollment of 18,266 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Western Michigan University is 13,025 students and the part-time enrollment is 5,241. This means that 71.3% of students enrolled at Western Michigan University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Michigan University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 67.7% White, 8.5% Black or African American, 7.98% Hispanic or Latino, 3.38% Two or More Races, 2.84% Asian, 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0547% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Michigan University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (34.8%), followed by White Female (34.5%) and Black or African American Female (4.82%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (53.1%), followed by White Male (16.1%) and Black or African American Female (5.82%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

71.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Michigan University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 18,266 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Michigan University is 13,025 and the part-time enrollment is 5,241. This means that 71.3% of students enrolled at Western Michigan University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Michigan University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

77%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Michigan University was 77%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Western Michigan University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Michigan University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
12,365 enrolled students
Black or African American
1,552 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,458 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Michigan University is 67.7% White, 8.5% Black or African American, 7.98% Hispanic or Latino, 3.38% Two or More Races, 2.84% Asian, 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0547% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 339 students (1.86%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 575 more women than men received degrees from Western Michigan University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Michigan University is white (3,544 degrees awarded). There were 7.23 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (490 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Michigan University is Other Multidisciplinary Studies (216 degrees awarded), followed by General Finance (155 degrees) and Accounting (146 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Michigan University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Transportation (186 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (274 degrees), and Engineering (382 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Michigan University are Software developers (428,352 people), Other managers (415,575 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (341,244 people), Civil engineers (264,576 people), and Mechanical engineers (194,928 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Michigan University in 2021 are Transportation (186 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (274 degrees), Engineering (382 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (137 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (269 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Michigan University are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Physicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Chief executives & legislators

The most specialized majors at Western Michigan University are Transportation (186 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (274 degrees), Engineering (382 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (137 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (269 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Michigan University are Computer Systems Design (514,700 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (450,060 people), Elementary & secondary schools (401,999 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (345,530 people), and Construction (329,575 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Michigan University.

Most Common (2021)

Other Multidisciplinary Studies
216 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
155 degree-majors awarded
Accounting
146 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Michigan University was Other Multidisciplinary Studies with 216 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Michigan University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,289

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

2,864

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 2,289 degrees were awarded to men at Western Michigan University, which is 0.799 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,864).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Michigan University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 110 degrees were awarded to men at Western Michigan University in General Finance, which is 2.44 times more than the 45 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 162 degrees were awarded to men at Western Michigan University in Occupational Therapy, which is 10.8 times more than the 15 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

27%

100% Completion Time

57%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 27% of students graduating from Western Michigan University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 57% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 61% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (78.6%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Western Michigan University is Female and Asian (78.6% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.723% of graduates (12 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
3,544 degrees awarded
Black or African American
490 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
264 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Michigan University is white (3,544 degrees awarded). There were 7.23 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (490 degrees).

0.718% of degree recipients (37 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
2,025 degrees awarded
White Male
1,519 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
293 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Michigan University is white female (2,025 degrees awarded). There were 1.33 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1519 degrees).

Operations

Western Michigan University has an endowment valued at nearly $497M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 38.8M (7.81%) compared to the 10.4% average return (40.5M on 388M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2021, Western Michigan University had a total salary expenditure of 452M. Western Michigan University employs 300 Professors, 210 Associate professors and 172 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Michigan University are Male Professor (197), Female Assistant professor (111), and Male Associate professor (107).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Michigan University are: Service, with 255 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 206 employees, and Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 202 employees.

Endowment

$497M

2021 Endowment

24%

growth from 2020

Western Michigan University has an endowment valued at about $497M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Michigan University grew 24% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $110M higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Western Michigan University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$19.1M - Federal
$3.13M - State
$87k - Local

As of 2021, Western Michigan University received $19.1M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $3.13M from state grants and contracts, and $87k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$192M

2021 Salaries

20.3%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Western Michigan University paid a median of $192M in salaries, which represents 42.6% of their overall expenditure ($452M) and a 20.3% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$69.7M

Instructional Salaries

736

Number of Employees

In 2021, Western Michigan University paid a total of $69.7M to 736 employees working as instructors, which represents 36.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

300 Employees

Service

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

255 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Michigan University were Professor with 300 employees, Associate professor with 210 employees, and Assistant professor with 172 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Michigan University were Service with 255 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 206 employees, and Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 202 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Assistant professor
Male Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Michigan University was Male Professor with 197 employees, Female Assistant professor with 111 employees, and Male Associate professor with 107 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Western Michigan University.