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Colleges of Distinction: Michigan
2022-2023 Public Colleges of Distinction

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Midway between Chicago and Detroit, the city of Kalamazoo thrives with both urban resources and rural landscapes, enriched with numerous cultural festivals, arts venues, and major science and research centers. Most notably, it is the proud home of Western Michigan University, a top-notch public research institution that supports active learners across 149 undergraduate, 75 master’s, and 32 doctoral programs. Its diverse population brings life to its academics, always collaborating with a mix of cultural viewpoints and a broad span of disciplinary perspectives.

As a major research institution, Western Michigan University stands as a leader in experiential learning opportunities. Its professors make a point to form strong relationships with their students, all while giving them the tools and experiences they need to thrive as future professionals.

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WMU hosts 1,859 international students from about 100 countries and provides a fully accredited intensive English language program for international students. In addition, the University operates more than 90 study abroad programs in some 40 countries and offers access to countless more through worldwide linkages with other universities and organizations.

At WMU, students may enroll in a variety of international-related academic programs, including majors or minors that focus on global and international studies, business, politics, select world regions, and languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. Faculty members routinely engage in scholarly activities around the globe, while nearly 600 of WMU’s domestic student annually study overseas.

Western Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Get to know Western Michigan University

15,969
Degree-Seeking Undergraduates
Enrolled female students
49%
 
Enrolled male students
51%
 
Gender Ratio
Full-time students
83%
 
Part-time students
17%
 
Full-time to Part-time Ratio
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Retention rate
Full-time faculty
69%
 
Adjuncts
31%
 
Faculty Ratio
18:1
Student/teacher ratio
$12,094
In-state tuition cost
$15,118
Out-of-state tuition cost
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
6-year graduation rate
Rolling
Application deadline
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Acceptance rate
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Out-of-state students

Benefits

Student Activities

Student Activities

  • Campus Ministries
  • Choral groups
  • Concert band
  • Dance
  • Drama/theatre
  • International Student Organization
  • Jazz band
  • Literary magazine
  • Marching band
  • Model UN
  • Music ensembles
  • Musical theatre
  • Opera
  • Pep band
  • Radio station
  • Student government
  • Student newspaper
  • Student-run film society
  • Symphony orchestra
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High-Impact Practices

High-Impact Practices

  • First-Year Seminars and Experiences
  • Common Intellectual Experiences
  • Learning Communities
  • Writing-Intensive Courses
  • Collaborative Assignments and Projects
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Diversity/Global Learning
  • Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
  • Internships/Coops/Practica
  • Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
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Campus Resources

Campus Resources

  • Career Services
  • Writing Center
  • Academic Advisors
  • Library Services
  • Faculty Mentors
  • Disability Services
  • Multicultural Engagement Center
  • Health Services
  • Academic Tutors
  • Financial Aid Advisors
  • Student Success Initiative
  • Veteran Services
  • Peer Mentors
  • Counseling
  • Gender & Sexuality Center
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College Highlights

Engaged Students
Great Teaching
Vibrant Communities
Successful Outcomes
Admission & Aid
2022-2023 Equity & Inclusion Colleges of Distinction
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Engaged Students

RESEARCH
WMU is proud to provide the resources and financial support for its faculty to conduct research and pursue innovative technologies. And because faculty are so greatly focused on creating a fulfilling environment for their students, they commonly seek out undergraduates for help. Regardless of their academic focus, students have outlets to pursue creative projects and research in the lab or out in the field. Some academic departments offer courses designated for research, and the Undergraduate Research Conference opens up the space for students to share their experiences and findings with one another.

ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 5%
Hispanic/Latinx: 8%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 10%
White, non-Hispanic: 68%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 2%

Great Teaching

BRONCO BASH
The Western Michigan Community is sparked to life at the beginning of each year at Bronco Bash, an annual festival that riles students up for a great semester with their friends and faculty. Bronco Bash is loaded with performances by local musicians, fun activities, and food. It is a great way for returning students to reunite with their friends, and perfect for first-year students to meet their new peers and get acquainted with the student clubs that they can join while at school.

SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cooperative education program
Cross-registration
Distance Learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program

Vibrant Communities

GLOBAL AWARENESS
Diversity is embraced as an important feature of WMU’s forward-thinking college environment. In fact, WMU was the first American university to require all students to study the non-Western world, incorporating global awareness into its general education curriculum. The University commits to inclusion, providing a safe outlet for students of all backgrounds to share their experiences and explore new cultures. The “Get Globally Engaged This Week!” newsletter keeps students in the know about all cultural events on campus, maintaining a weekly schedule of activities, lectures, and discussions that explore issues and communities from all around the world. Students are also invited to study, intern, or volunteer abroad to themselves firsthand to communities beyond WMU’s walls. Across over 40 countries, they can enact service and gain professional experience while earning academic credit and growing inspired for a lifetime of globally conscious citizenship.

SUSTAINABILITY
The Office of Sustainability strives to engage each WMU student in initiatives that enact positive change to the environment. Campus-wide projects include a Bike Stable to promote clean methods of transportation, a waste reduction program that conducts research and promotes recycling, and the Gibbs House, which is a new laboratory within a historic campus building that provides space for students to design new technology for sustainable living.

SCHOOL LOCATION
Kalamazoo, the home of WMU’s main campus, is the fifth largest city in Michigan, with a county population of more than 220,000 residents. The city is located midway between Chicago and Detroit, 140 miles from each.

ATHLETICS

  • NCAA Division I
  • Mid-American Conference (Football Bowl Subdivision)
  • National Collegiate Hockey Conference

In the interest of gender equity, the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics adds to the vitality of campus life with an offering 15 varsity sports.

RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 87%
Undergraduates: 27%

Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Men’s dorms
Women’s dorms
Apartments for married students
Apartments for single students
Special housing for disabled students
Fraternity/sorority housing
Theme housing
Wellness housing

Successful Outcomes

INTERNSHIPS
Western Michigan University recognizes that internships are one of the most valuable experiences students can have to prepare for their postgraduate careers. With the help of Career and Student Employment Services, anyone in any field of study can find an opportunity that best utilizes their skills and trains them for their individual goals. Resources like the Career Zone and BroncoJOBS help students craft their résumés, prepare for interviews, and seek out employers through a career catalog that is full of opportunities for all areas of work.

Admission & Aid

Admission

ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Academic GPA | Standardized test scores

Important
Rigor of secondary school record

Considered
Application Essay | Recommendation(s) | Extracurricular activities

FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 500 | 75th Percentile: 610
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 510 | 75th Percentile: 610
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 27
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 26
ACT English
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 26

Tuition & Cost

Tuition (in-state): $12,094
Tuition (out-of-state): $15,118
Fees: $923
Room & Board: $10,567

Contact Western Michigan University

Contact Admissions

wmich.edu/admissions

(269) 387-2000

Campus Location

1903 W Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

(269) 387-1000

Visit WMU Online

wmich.edu

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