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Western Michigan University

Public

Kalamazoo, MI

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Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, MI, is a public large school, enrolling around 12,568 students. Western Michigan University is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 85%. Among reported majors, Paper Science and Engineering shows the strongest outcomes -- $102,825/year in median earnings four years after graduation. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.

Admissions

Admit rate85%
SAT rangeNot reported
ACT rangeNot reported
Undergrads12,568
Yield (admits who enroll)15%
Next deadlineDec 1, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$29,237
4-year grad rate58%
Median earnings, 10yr out$53,562

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against Western Michigan University's numbers?

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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Western Michigan University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans47%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out56%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$59,249/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Business Administration, Management and Operations$75,143/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$72,353/yr
Human Resources Management and Services$71,870/yr
Marketing$71,371/yr
Accounting and Related Services$66,666/yr
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations$46,543/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$64,127/yr
Communication and Media Studies$51,446/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$90,876/yr
Computer and Information Sciences, General$74,566/yr
Education
Special Education and Teaching$50,665/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$49,340/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$47,898/yr
Engineering
Paper Science and Engineering$102,825/yr
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$95,469/yr
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$94,177/yr
Industrial Engineering$92,306/yr
Chemical Engineering$91,777/yr
Mechanical Engineering$87,477/yr
Civil Engineering$78,368/yr
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
Engineering-Related Fields$88,746/yr
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians$84,622/yr
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians$82,740/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$43,628/yr
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$40,792/yr
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Apparel and Textiles$56,487/yr
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services$49,286/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$37,013/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$83,449/yr
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$68,351/yr
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$58,023/yr
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services$56,449/yr
Health and Medical Administrative Services$54,265/yr
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$48,065/yr
History
History$46,909/yr
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice and Corrections$57,012/yr
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians$76,241/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$54,597/yr
International/Globalization Studies$40,663/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$50,134/yr
Physical Sciences
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$58,164/yr
Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology$64,679/yr
Psychology, General$50,655/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Work$49,850/yr
Social Sciences
Political Science and Government$54,840/yr
Sociology$51,835/yr
Geography and Cartography$49,921/yr
Anthropology$41,490/yr
Transportation and Materials Moving
Air Transportation$89,564/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$58,634/yr
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$45,391/yr
Dance$45,108/yr
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$44,694/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$36,615/yr
Music$36,254/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity5,075
Typical room chargeNot reported
Typical board chargeNot reported

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsConsidered, not required

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is Western Michigan University's acceptance rate?

Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI admits approximately 85% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

How much does Western Michigan University cost?

Western Michigan University's total cost of attendance is reported at $29,237 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Western Michigan University?

Western Michigan University's earliest deadline is Dec 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Western Michigan University require students to live on campus?

No -- Western Michigan University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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