Western Michigan University (WMU) vs University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
Western Michigan University and University of Northern Iowa, both esteemed public universities in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Western Michigan, located in Kalamazoo, boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations. In contrast, University of Northern Iowa, situated in Cedar Falls, maintains a more selective admissions process. While Western Michigan's student body is more diverse, University of Northern Iowa has a slightly higher graduation rate. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Western Michigan excelling in fields like engineering and business, while University of Northern Iowa shines in areas such as education and nursing. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() University of Northern Iowa |
![]() Western Michigan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 81.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.8% | 82.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 980 - 1190 | 1000 - 1220 |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 37.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 66.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,772 | 18,853 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,094 | 15,612 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,553 | 2,112 |
Yield rate | 37.9% | 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:
$21,409
Out of state:
$32,109
|
In state:
$27,947
Out of state:
$31,281
|
Average net price | $15,231 | $19,749 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,780
Out of state:
$18,480
|
In state:
$13,334
Out of state:
$16,668
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,699
Meal plan:
$4,461
|
$10,884 |
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
76.0%
Average amount $6,227 |
95.0%
Average amount $6,352 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,115 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,188 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $7,770 |
10.0%
Average amount $15,132 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,967
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
14,587
Men 50.1% Women 49.9% |
Graduate students |
1,250
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
3,679
Men 37.4% Women 62.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 9.5% | 23.8% |
International students | 2.4% | 7.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,412 | 5,130 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Missouri | 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 | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.9% | 56.3% |
Dropout rate | 9.5% | 14.6% |
Transferred out | 20.6% | 25.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (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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