Western Michigan University (WMU) vs Portland State
Western Michigan University (WMU) and Portland State University (PSU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. WMU, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, boasts a higher acceptance rate (79%) compared to PSU's 73%, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with WMU excelling in fields like engineering, business, and health sciences, while PSU shines in areas such as urban studies, sustainability, and social sciences. While WMU's student body is predominantly White (68%), PSU's student population is more diverse, with a significant proportion of Asian (22%) and Hispanic (16%) students. In terms of graduation rates, WMU has a slight edge over PSU, with a four-year graduation rate of 33% compared to PSU's 29%. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey
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![]() Portland State University |
![]() Western Michigan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Portland, Oregon | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 76.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 98.4% | 82.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$67
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1000 - 1250 | 1000 - 1220 |
ACT range | 17 - 24 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | 37.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 8.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,859 | 18,853 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,751 | 15,612 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,741 | 2,112 |
Yield rate | 25.8% | 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:
$28,296
Out of state:
$47,196
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In state:
$27,947
Out of state:
$31,281
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Average net price | $13,015 | $19,749 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,685
Out of state:
$27,585
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In state:
$13,334
Out of state:
$16,668
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,179
Meal plan:
$4,548
|
$10,884 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
70.0%
Average amount $9,424 |
95.0%
Average amount $6,352 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
40.0%
Average amount $4,437 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,188 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $16,901 |
10.0%
Average amount $15,132 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
17,753
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
14,587
Men 50.1% Women 49.9% |
Graduate students |
5,105
Men 35.5% Women 64.5% |
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 | 20.4% | 23.8% |
International students | 5.0% | 7.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,352 | 5,130 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Oregon California Washington Hawaii Colorado | 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 | 19:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 53.8% | 56.3% |
Dropout rate | 18.3% | 14.6% |
Transferred out | 23.4% | 25.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Civil 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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