Western Michigan University (WMU) vs Old Dominion University (ODU)
Western Michigan University (WMU) and Old Dominion University (ODU) are two public universities with distinct characteristics. WMU, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has a higher acceptance rate (80%) compared to ODU's 73%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors including Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences at WMU, and Business, Engineering, and Education at ODU. WMU's student body is slightly larger, with over 23,000 students, while ODU has approximately 20,000 students. In terms of graduation rates, WMU's four-year graduation rate is 38%, while ODU's is slightly higher at 41%. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, allowing you to assess which university better aligns with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() Old Dominion University |
![]() Western Michigan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Norfolk, Virginia | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | 72.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 96.2% | 82.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1020 - 1220 | 1000 - 1220 |
ACT range | 20 - 27 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 83.0% | 37.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 13,586 | 18,853 |
Total number of admissions given out | 13,074 | 15,612 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,899 | 2,112 |
Yield rate | 22.2% | 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) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$28,088
Out of state:
$48,248
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In state:
$27,947
Out of state:
$31,281
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Average net price | $17,254 | $19,749 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,029
Out of state:
$26,664
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In state:
$13,334
Out of state:
$16,668
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,690
Meal plan:
$5,398
|
$10,884 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $7,702 |
95.0%
Average amount $6,352 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,222 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,188 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $15,206 |
10.0%
Average amount $15,132 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,678
Men 43.9% Women 56.1% |
14,587
Men 50.1% Women 49.9% |
Graduate students |
4,816
Men 39.4% Women 60.6% |
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 | 10.2% | 23.8% |
International students | 2.8% | 7.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,361 | 5,130 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia Maryland Pennsylvania North Carolina New Jersey | 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 | 16:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 48.7% | 56.3% |
Dropout rate | 19.7% | 14.6% |
Transferred out | 28.2% | 25.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical 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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