University at Buffalo (UB) vs Western Michigan University (WMU)
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University at Buffalo (UB) and Western Michigan University (WMU) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. UB, part of the State University of New York system, is located in Buffalo, New York, while WMU is situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With acceptance rates of 49% and 79%, respectively, both universities offer diverse academic programs. UB excels in fields like engineering, business, and health sciences, while WMU is known for its strong programs in aviation, engineering, and education. UB boasts a larger student body, with over 30,000 undergraduates, while WMU has a more intimate community of around 17,000 undergraduates. Both universities offer a vibrant campus life, with various student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key
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![]() University at Buffalo |
![]() Western Michigan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Buffalo, New York | 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 | 83.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 70.1% | 82.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 1180 - 1360 | 1000 - 1220 |
ACT range | 25 - 31 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | 37.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 30,750 | 18,853 |
Total number of admissions given out | 21,552 | 15,612 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,309 | 2,112 |
Yield rate | 20.0% | 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:
$30,240
Out of state:
$48,160
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In state:
$27,947
Out of state:
$31,281
|
Average net price | $17,954 | $19,749 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,070
Out of state:
$24,990
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In state:
$13,334
Out of state:
$16,668
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,952
Meal plan:
$6,500
|
$10,884 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
71.0%
Average amount $8,810 |
95.0%
Average amount $6,352 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,071 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,188 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $13,892 |
10.0%
Average amount $15,132 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
21,467
Men 54.3% Women 45.7% |
14,587
Men 50.1% Women 49.9% |
Graduate students |
10,865
Men 47.5% Women 52.5% |
3,679
Men 37.4% Women 62.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 3.2% | 23.8% |
International students | 18.3% | 7.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 7,711 | 5,130 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Connecticut Florida | 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 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 73.8% | 56.3% |
Dropout rate | 8.7% | 14.6% |
Transferred out | 16.4% | 25.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical 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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