Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Western Michigan University at a Glance
Western Michigan University is a public research university in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. It was initially established as Western State Normal School in 1903 by Governor Aaron T. Bliss for the training of teachers. It was renamed Western Michigan University in 1957.
1903
123 years old
$854M
US$ 854.4 million (2025)
17,605
13,860 undergrad · 410 grad
751
10
Identity
How to Apply to Western Michigan University
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Is Western Michigan University Worth It?
Western Michigan University offers moderate value at $15,273/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,562, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Western Michigan University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #63 of 170 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #6 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #63 | Western Michigan University | 51 | $15,273 | $53,562 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Western Michigan University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in MI.
Best Programs at Western Michigan University
The highest-earning program at Western Michigan University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $68,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Western Michigan University earns $68,800, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,273/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,800 | $68,800 | $25,000 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $67,300 | $67,300 | $31,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $66,400 | $66,400 | $28,303 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $62,000 | $62,000 | $31,000 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $61,200 | $61,200 | $27,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,200 | $61,200 | $25,461 |
| Computer Science | $60,900 | $60,900 | $25,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $59,100 | $59,100 | $30,996 |
| Civil Engineering | $57,300 | $57,300 | $29,835 |
| Chemical Engineering | $55,300 | $55,300 | $29,798 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies | $52,500 | $52,500 | $27,937 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,700 | $51,700 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,000 | $49,000 | $25,933 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | $47,900 | $47,900 | $28,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,200 | $43,200 | $23,366 |
| Marketing | $43,200 | $43,200 | $25,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $42,300 | $42,300 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,900 | $41,900 | $26,899 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $39,900 | $39,900 | $21,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $37,800 | $37,800 | $30,517 |
| Air Transportation | $37,200 | $37,200 | $26,358 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,800 | $35,800 | $26,011 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,100 | $35,100 | $30,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,000 | $35,000 | $31,000 |
| Biology, General | $31,900 | $31,900 | $26,250 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $31,600 | $31,600 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,400 | $31,400 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,200 | $31,200 | $26,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,100 | $30,100 | $27,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $29,800 | $29,800 | $25,725 |
| Social Work | $29,800 | $29,800 | $27,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $29,300 | $29,300 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $28,700 | $28,700 | $25,625 |
| Sociology | $28,700 | $28,700 | $27,673 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $28,600 | $28,600 | $27,000 |
| International/Global Studies | $28,500 | $28,500 | $25,334 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $28,300 | $28,300 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $26,616 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,500 | $27,500 | $29,456 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $25,100 | $25,100 | $26,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $21,800 | $21,800 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,500 | $20,500 | $31,000 |
| Dance | $19,400 | $19,400 | $25,533 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,200 | $17,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Student Body
- 12,568 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,273
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,562
- Median Student Debt
- $26,188