Western Michigan University (WMU) vs Cal State Fullerton
Western Michigan University (WMU) and California State University-Fullerton (CSUF) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. WMU, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, boasts a higher acceptance rate (79%) compared to CSUF's 34%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with WMU excelling in fields like engineering, business, and health sciences, while CSUF shines in business, communications, and the arts. WMU's student body is predominantly White (64%), while CSUF's is more diverse, with a significant Hispanic population (42%). In terms of graduation rates, CSUF has a slight edge over WMU, with a 6-year graduation rate of 63% compared to WMU's 59%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two institutions. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations
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![]() California State University-Fullerton |
![]() Western Michigan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Fullerton, California | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 87.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 59.4% | 82.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | N/A | 1000 - 1220 |
ACT range | N/A | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 37.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 7.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 45,140 | 18,853 |
Total number of admissions given out | 26,827 | 15,612 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,219 | 2,112 |
Yield rate | 15.7% | 13.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$30,282
Out of state:
$42,162
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In state:
$27,947
Out of state:
$31,281
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Average net price | $4,939 | $19,749 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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In state:
$13,334
Out of state:
$16,668
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$12,918
Meal plan:
$4,374
|
$10,884 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
74.0%
Average amount $9,215 |
95.0%
Average amount $6,352 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
17.0%
Average amount $4,700 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,188 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $11,380 |
10.0%
Average amount $15,132 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
35,600
Men 41.2% Women 58.8% |
14,587
Men 50.1% Women 49.9% |
Graduate students |
5,138
Men 36.8% Women 63.2% |
3,679
Men 37.4% Women 62.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 0.9% | 23.8% |
International students | 4.9% | 7.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,045 | 5,130 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Texas Hawaii Illinois Arizona | Michigan Illinois Indiana Wisconsin Ohio |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 25:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 71.5% | 56.3% |
Dropout rate | 21.3% | 14.6% |
Transferred out | 1.8% | 25.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
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