Acceptance Rate
85%
Avg. SAT
1230
75th percentile
“Aviation training hub with its own airport in bike-packed Kalamazoo.”
Kalamazoo, MI
Location
Small City
Campus Setting
Western Michigan University traces its roots to 1903, when it opened as a normal school to train teachers for Michigan's growing public education system, later expanding into a broad research university serving nearly 16,000 undergraduates. Students who thrive here tend to be practical and hands-on learners drawn to fields like flight, engineering, and business, often from Michigan or nearby states, ready to dive into career prep amid a supportive but no-nonsense environment. Kalamazoo offers a lively college town feel with its mix of breweries, live music venues, and extensive bike trails, though the region's harsh winters and spread-out layout mean you'll bundle up and plan transportation carefully. The university's personality leans straightforward and industrious, reflecting its industrial Midwest setting, but larger class sizes in introductory courses can make it feel less intimate than smaller schools.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
WMU stands out for its College of Aviation, which runs one of the largest collegiate flight programs and uses the adjacent W.K. Kellogg Airport for hands-on pilot training from day one. Engineering draws from Kalamazoo's manufacturing past with specialized tracks like pulp and paper technology, while the Haworth College of Business emphasizes practical projects with local companies. In classrooms, you'll encounter a mix of large lectures for gen-eds that pack hundreds and smaller seminars upperclassmen, where faculty often share industry experience; research opportunities grow available as you advance, especially in geosciences or materials science. Tradeoffs include competitive entry to high-demand programs like aviation, which require strong grades and prerequisites.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
13,027 undergrad • 3,717 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
67%
Black / African American
8%
Hispanic / Latino
8%
Asian
3%
Other / Multi-racial
14%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Kalamazoo, MI
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus pulses with MAC Division I sports, especially football tailgates and basketball games at the arena, alongside a solid Greek scene and over 500 clubs ranging from robotics to outdoor adventures. A typical week mixes morning classes, afternoon study sessions or club meetings, gym time at the rec center, and evenings hitting downtown Kalamazoo's bars or food trucks. Residential life centers on seven village-style halls with themed communities for freshmen, though upperclassmen often seek off-campus apartments amid moderate rents. Winters confine outdoor hangs to indoor spaces like the student union, and the sprawling 1,300-acre campus demands bikes, buses, or walks between buildings.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Mid-American Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
81%
4 Years Graduation Rate
42%
6 Years Graduation Rate
64%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$53,562
81% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Western Michigan University and return in the fall. 42% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 64% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
42%
4-5 years
22%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
34%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$14,523
Acceptance
85%
Undergrads
13,027
4-Year Grad Rate
42%
Endowment
$634M
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5200
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