Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Western Michigan University is a public national university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Western Michigan University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Western Michigan University is in the bottom 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $49,652 10 years after enrolling, 20th in Michigan, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Western Michigan University bachelor students earn 1% more than the national average. Western Michigan University is ranked 23rd in Michigan.
Western Michigan University’s median net annual cost of $20,371 and average years to graduate of 4.9 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Western Michigan University sorted by number of graduates - Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Marketing, Business Administration, Air Transportation, Finance, Accounting - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$20,371
Average years to graduate
4.9
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #159
Economic score: 1.91
Registered Nursing
Rank: #433
Economic score: 2.69
Advertising & PR
Rank: #64
Economic score: 4.57
Biology
Rank: #176
Economic score: 4.59
Criminal Justice
Rank: #263
Economic score: 6.05
Health Administrative Services
Rank: #104
Economic score: 6.35
Education
Rank: #247
Economic score: 6.44
Health & Fitness
Rank: #240
Economic score: 7.28
Human Development & Family
Rank: #68
Economic score: 10.18
Psychology
Rank: #493
Economic score: 10.68
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Western Michigan University - Mental & Social Health Services, Therapeutic professions, Business Administration, Education (subject specific), Clinical / Counseling Psych, Diagnostic, Intervention & Treatment - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Accounting
Rank: #145
Economic score: 0.3
Music
Rank: #7
Economic score: 0.51
Special Education
Rank: #102
Economic score: 0.53
Health & Fitness
Rank: #59
Economic score: 0.58
Educ. Administration
Rank: #312
Economic score: 0.7
Education
Rank: #269
Economic score: 0.8
Public Administration
Rank: #145
Economic score: 0.81
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #150
Economic score: 0.84
Student Counseling
Rank: #159
Economic score: 0.92
Social Work
Rank: #181
Economic score: 1.02
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.9 years. 62% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Western Michigan University is 1% higher than the state average, and 5% below the average for all national universities in the country.
At Western Michigan University, Pell Grant recipients represent 27% of the measured graduating class, 8% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Western Michigan University graduates within 5 years.
Western Michigan University is in the bottom 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Western Michigan University’s economic mobility score of 14.25 is calculated by adjusting the 3.48 economic score of lower-income students by the 27% pell grant recipients within the student body. Western Michigan University’s EMS of 14.25 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Western Michigan University pays $20,371 a year, $6,700 less than the $27,071 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $20,371
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Western Michigan University, 95% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $20,371 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 51% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,933. This is 3% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,188
Pell grants
$4,718
State grants
$1,098
Institutional grants
$5,222
Western Michigan University offers 141 online bachelor programs, 3 of which are held exclusively online. At the master’s level Western Michigan University offers 78 programs, 8 of which are held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
219
Hybrid programs
208
Percentage of programs online
80%
Western Michigan University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 83% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 18,853 applicants, of which 15,612 were admitted and 2,112 enrolled. Western Michigan University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
89%
83%
Female
54%
59%
First time
59%
59%
In-state
75%
68%
1st generation
29%
35%
White
68%
52%
Black
10%
14%
Hispanic
8%
15%
Asian
2%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
11%
12%