Founded in 1903, Western Michigan University. is a Public college. Located in Michigan, which is a city setting in Michigan, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 18,313 full time undergraduate students, and 4,914 full time graduate students.
The Western Michigan University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 867 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Western Michigan University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
82%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
40
SAT Range
900-1115
ACT Range
19-25
Admissions at WMU are considered Less Selective, with ,138% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 22 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
70% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 32% were in the top quarter, and 11% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Western Michigan University.
2%
“We”re apathetic”
30%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
20%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
7%
“I only go out in groups”
41%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
52%
“I feel extremely safe”
1%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
32%
“We bought the gear”
67%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
67%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
21%
“We”re a very artistic group”
2%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
66%
“They keep regular office hours”
27%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
77%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
4%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
15%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
52%
“We only party on weekends”
31%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
30%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
20%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
7%
“I only go out in groups”
41%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
52%
“I feel extremely safe”
1%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
32%
“We bought the gear”
67%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
67%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
21%
“We”re a very artistic group”
2%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
66%
“They keep regular office hours”
27%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
77%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
4%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
298 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
210 Students rated off-campus housing 4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
319 Students rated campus food 3.8 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
334 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
335 Students rated class size 4 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
333 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
334 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
334 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.
Western Michigan University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Western Michigan University?
147 Students rated Western Michigan University
Avery
Prospective04/07/2025
I chose Western Michigan University because I felt like it really offered me a great balance between a large-campus atmosphere and a personal, supportive college experience. I wanted to be part of a university that felt alive and vibrant, with people around, activities happening, and a true campus feel. However, I didn’t want it to feel so large that I felt like “just a number.” What really stood out to me about WMU was its smaller class sizes and the strong student-professor relationships that are encouraged. I love that professors are accessible and invested in student success, which is something that’s very important to me as I begin my journey in nursing.
Being part of the Lee Honors College was another huge draw. The honors program gives students priority registration (even as freshmen), which is incredibly helpful when building a schedule that fits your learning style. The program also offers mentorship throughout the transition into college life, which has helped me feel more supported and confident about what’s ahead.
The campus life at Western is exciting and full of opportunities to get involved. From activities in the residence halls to events shared directly with students, it’s easy to stay connected and find your place. One of the things I'm really looking forward to is Bronco Bash—an amazing welcome event at the start of the school year where you can meet student groups, clubs, and organizations. It seems like such a fun way to get involved and make friends.
As someone going into nursing, WMU’s nursing program really impressed me. The program allows for admission in either fall or spring, which gives students some flexibility. The hands-on experiences—whether through clinicals or partnerships with hospitals and facilities throughout the Kalamazoo area—ensure that students aren’t just learning in a classroom but are gaining real-world skills from the start.
Kalamazoo itself reminds me so much of West Lafayette, Indiana, where I grew up. It has that small-city, college-town vibe that feels both familiar and exciting. With everything from coffee shops and local boutiques to beautiful parks and restaurants, Kalamazoo is a great place to live, learn, and grow.
Overall, Western Michigan University checked every box for me—academically, personally, and socially. I’m so excited to become a part of the Bronco family!
Kyle
11/29/2024
I visited Western Michigan University this September to look for some schools to pursue my dream of becoming a commercial pilot. Upon entering the university, I was pleasantly surprised by the nice students and scenery surrounding WMU. The school consisted of small, proportionate classes that allowed students to forge a personal relationship with their professors and study efficiently. The main campus was extremely clean and gave off an amazing impression, and an art fest was also held in the quad! As soon as we went to the aviation campus, I was delighted to see a massive fleet of top-of-the-line cirrus planes for students to study out of. This led me to believe that WMU would be my goal school, facilitating a safe, clean, and friendly environment to pursue my dream of becoming a pilot.
Dyamond
11/22/2024
Western has an extremely active student body. They care about each individual and hope for everyone to succeed. They strive for fairness and want everyone to be equal. A lot of professors aren't overbearing and you have plenty of resources for school. The dining hall is nice and has various options. Sports are very important and we support each and every one. Overall, Western is a great place when you know exactly what you want and stay on top of everything. And even if you don't, they implement strategies to help you stay on top of it.
Ryleigh
02/01/2023
Not a huge campus but also not small. Lots of kind people and you will always see people you know, but also have the opportunity to meet new people every day.
Haleigh
08/03/2022
Western Michigan University has always been my dream school. The Campus is beautiful, the staff is always kind and ready to help, and the buildings are very well remodeled and beautiful. There are a lot of different options for community service in the area that are recommended to the students. WMU also has many options for clubs and groups that you can join for all kinds of people.
Reaghan
06/10/2022
Like most places, it has its positives and negatives. Thankfully, the good outweighed the bad. It felt like we were in a little bubble while on campus. Once we left campus, we realized there was a world outside of Western. I enjoyed my time here for the most part; I was able to make friends and join a ton of clubs. It is a primarily inclusive environment, and I felt pretty safe. I loved most of my professors. I still talk to some of them years after taking their classes. I was able to relax and learn who I am while attending Western. I think not having familial influence helped me with that and counseling. I love that they took their students' mental health seriously and treated it like any other illness.
Unfortunately, it was a little too dull living there (to me). It was in such a small, quiet town, too. Overall, I would recommend Western to anybody that likes to party, is studious, and is outgoing and friendly.
Melissa
12/16/2021
I loved going to school here! I attended for 5 years and graduated from the Engineering Management program in 2019. The professors within the engineering college are very knowledgeable and most want to see you succeed so they help do that to the best of their ability. If you are willing to put in the time into their class and utilize office hours/ask questions then you will be in a good spot. The facilities on the engineering campus are new and updated and the parking is abundant here. I cannot say the same for main campus but the school is working to update older buildings currently.
Christopher
11/20/2021
WMU will provide you with a classic college experience. Having a variety of different programs, and a specialized college of engineering, having D1 athletics and being a top-rated party school. Although you can find anything you want there, it really has concentrated funding on the college of engineering. Having paper, chemical, computer, civil, mechanical, and many other degrees. The on-campus housing is average, with standard-sized rooms, multiple areas you can live in. But they also allow you to room with people that are following other career paths as you are. Western also is one of the few colleges that allow Freshmen to live off-campus, allowing you to either live with family or live in an apartment right by Wester, which also has complexes that are designated for WMU students. There is just so much versatility in Western's program since even though you live off-campus you can still set up a meal plan with the cafeteria, there are just so many options! The environment surrounding the STEM degrees is also very welcoming and supportive, with Lee's Honors College being the backbone of this support. They help students who qualify for the program with tutors, giving top priority for classes, and additionally helping graduating students with their first job. On top of all of that, after you are done with your classes and studying, there are just as many opportunities pertaining to physical activity. WMU has a fully equipped gym, allowing you to perform any exercise or sport that you could desire. They also go as far as to have just about every sport available recreationally, for the students that purely play the sport for fun and don't want the added stress of competing. They have a perfect setup to train your mind as well as your body. Western is truly a welcoming community, that does sound very underwhelming at first, but in reality, is a hidden gem. They are very affordable and have a lot to offer. Specializing in engineering allows you to have an uncapped potential due to their focus on the STEM field. You might be able to say you can get a great experience at the University of Michigan or Michigan State University, but you can never say that you would get a better experience there rather than at Western.
Sydney
10/08/2021
I love being on campus and almost every resource I need is here. The biolgical science department is always providing new resources and opprotunities for internships and research being done under proffessors. Not all departments are this helpful and open with what can be done with the career you are pursueing.
Alicia
03/28/2021
During my time at western I was able to professionally network and learn first hand experiences through the program internships and social activities. The college had everything to offer that a student could hope for, recreational events, great professors who really cared about students, and.great living experiences.
brooke
08/21/2020
They are very inclusive and really do care for the students and staff. Western has so many activities to do and many groups to join. They also support diversity and involvement in diversity groups/gatherings. With the covid pandemic they also are doing their best and are constantly keeping us all updated on everything which is so helpful.
jenny
07/01/2020
It is a very welcoming university and the best thing about WMU is the fact that it is a liberal school. Most of the students are easy going and get along well with others. Fellow students generally don't look down upon one another based on their areas of studies or financial status.
Claire
04/29/2020
Western Michigan is absolutely not the most glamorous school in the country, but there is no other school that cares about you more. I will tell everyone that I can, that WMU is the best choice I've ever made and I would make it again in a heartbeat. It is the only school I ever visited that made me feel like an asset instead of a number, they are absolutely eager to share their resources with you to give you the best possible opportunities.
Emma
04/24/2020
I really enjoy my time spent as an undergraduate at WMU. These past 4 years have been extra special due to all the friendships and relationships I have made. I enjoy going to my classes, and the professors truly care about us. I have had a great experience and wouldn't have wanted college to be any other way.
Julia
04/17/2020
I believe Western Michigan is a great school to go to in Michigan. They are a perfect size campus, not small but not as large where you re just a number. Every student feels like they are a family at Western. The campus is a great size and very safe. There are no roads in the main campus where student walk from classes to the library or computer lab. Overall Western Michigan is a perfect campus and where I will be attending in the fall.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Western Michigan University is 82%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Be prepared balance your time. It can feel liberating being away from your parents and having all the freedom in the world. It is important to put the time into studying and completing assignments early before your deadline so you will have plenty of time to hang out with friends. As much as you try to ignore the looming due date while you try to hang out, it never quite leaves your mind and you cannot really have fun. This will only cause you more stress later. Procrastination may seem like the easiest road to take at the time, but it does not pay off. Get your work done early!
My classmates are very helpful. THey seem to be very outgoing and willing tohelp with anything anyone would need for class. They are always asking questions and getting others involved and keeping their minds active. I really enjoy going to class with the people in my classes.
I consider all of the student organizations to be the best thing because you can choose from so many and get involved! The student organizations are a great way to meet people, especially as a freshman. It is also provides a lot of opportunites for networking in the future and succeeding academically.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
Our hockey team is really awesome. We have a strong sustainability program. We have several programs that were created here and are still number one in the country. The city is mostly a small college town, but there are still a lot of different things to do around Kalamazoo.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
The school I am going to now is known for it's education I program. Since I am going into special education, I considered a college that I could get a good education from, as well as a degree that looked good when I went to find a ob in the future.
The best thing about WMU is the atomosphere. People are so friendly and you can feel the Bronco spirit in the air!!!
WMU is just the right size for me! Others may prefer a smaller or larger school. That all depends on the person. I like the size because there are a lot of people, but not so many that if affects my schooling (class sizes) or my commute to classes.
Kalamazoo is a "college town" in that there are 3 different places to enroll for higher education. Although there are a lot of college students, there are also a lot of families in the area.
WMU's administration is much better over the past two years. We have a new president who is very involved and highly visible around campus and at special events! It really shows how much he cares about the university and that he is interested in getting to know everything about it!
I think that there is a lot of school pride, but I must say that I see to many people wearing apparel from other schools. Michigan and Michigan State apparel are very common and I would like to see that diminish. I understand that people are fans of Big 10 schools, but I would rather see Bronco apparel increase.
Being an RA in Draper Siedschlag Residence Hall for 2 years will always be an experience that I will remember. Not only is it helping me now, but it's an experience that will help me continue to grow over the years for the rest of my life! Also, it has helped me meet lots of people and made me aware of all of the events that WMU has...it has truly made my entire experience at WMU so much better than I ever imagined.
A major complaint that I hear is the cost of Parking Passes.
Anyone who is looking for a great experience, and wants something more out of life. Someone who wants to be a leader, and not a follower should attend this school. People who are looking for more one on one with professors, and smaller classrooms.
I know my professors name and they know mine!
My favorite classes are my Elementary Education classes. I love them ALL!
Class participation is very common. I have a lot of discussion-based classes that are require involvement in order to get the most out of them!
Some students are very competitive, while others are not very motivated at all...
I'm in the Early Childhood Development major within Elementary Education. My minors are Science and Language Arts. Early childhood development basically means that I will be specialized in grades K-3rd and certified in grades K-5th.
In terms of spending time with professors outside of class, I go to office hours, but only if I need to. I'm not the type to just stop by to chat. At least I haven't thus far!
I'm glad that WMU is starting to try to get students out in 4 years. That needs to start happening again.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
This University is great for all types of students from all different backgrounds! You will not ever feel excluded or feel like you dont fit in... there is a place for everyone here and it's a great University to be able to succeed at!
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
How the financial aid system works. I was really confused about how loans, grants, and cost of attendance worked together, and no one (including financial aid advisors at Western) was willing to really help me out.
Last year, I was late to fill out my FAFSA due to my parent's late taxes- I lost out on a lot of money this way, and ended up having to take out a $10,000 private loan in order to pay for my first year I'm paying for my education, so I was pretty angry about this. C'est la vie!
What is the stereotype of students at your school?
Party School
Alcoholics
Good Teaching Program
Good Aviation Program
Good Engineering Management Program
Good Paper Engineering Program
Increasingly better Engineering Program
Big Campus/Small Campus feel
Pretty Girls
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
All colleges have stereotypes that can have good or bad representations about them, sometimes they are about partying, professors, top ratings in different degrees, etc. When going to college as a student you will learn that stereotypes are just that, stereotypes. All colleges including Western Michigan has stereotypes, but it’s what you do when you go to off to college that defines the school you are representing. There are athletes, fraternities, sororities, students who are eager to learn and all types of different students. There are going to be stereotypes about the different groups that represent the college you are attending, but going to college isn’t about the stereotypes its about the best kind of education that they are giving to the student body and to me that’s the only one I care to listen to. Western Michigan is the school I chose to transfer to because they had the good types of stereotypes that represented what I was looking for like smaller class sizes, professors who know my name and are eager to help you get the best education possible, and they are one of the top schools for my major. Stereotypes are accurate to some degree, but its important to learn whether they are what’s really important about going to college.
I decided to go to this school for the small community feel I got when I toured the campus, but the large university setting and convenience. It was far enough from home that I felt like it would be a solid change and the Kalamazoo area is a great place to be a college student.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
78% of students attending Western Michigan University receive some sort of financial aid.
34% were awarded federal grants.59%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
