Baker College vs Western Michigan University
Baker College is a private college in Owosso, MI, and Western Michigan University is a public university in Kalamazoo, MI. Baker College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 82% of applicants against 85% at Western Michigan University. Baker College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $13,157 a year against $15,273 at Western Michigan University. About 58% of students graduate at Western Michigan University, compared with 33% at Baker College. Ten years after enrolling, Western Michigan University alumni earn a median of about $53,562, against $35,833 for Baker College.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Owosso, MI
Kalamazoo, MI
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
3,026
12,568
Acceptance rate
82%
85%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.33–3.83
3.38–3.88
SAT (middle 50%)
960–1160
990–1220
ACT (middle 50%)
Not reported
20–27
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,157
$15,273
Full cost / yr
$24,526
$29,237
In-state tuition
$13,000
$15,252
Out-of-state tuition
$13,000
$19,034
Application fee
$30
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,976
$5,263
$30k - $48k
$11,362
$5,734
$48k - $75k
$12,546
$13,833
$75k - $110k
$13,754
$18,307
Over $110k
$17,964
$23,625
Outcomes
Graduation rate
33%
58%
Freshman retention
66%
81%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$33,619
$45,356
Median earnings (10 yr)
$35,833
$53,562
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$26,188
Student body
Pell grant recipients
38%
27%
First-generation students
47%
29%
International students
0%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Baker College or Western Michigan University harder to get into?
- Baker College is harder to get into. It admits about 82% of applicants, compared with 85% at Western Michigan University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Baker College or Western Michigan University?
- Baker College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,157 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $15,273 at Western Michigan University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Baker College and Western Michigan University?
- Before aid, Baker College costs about $24,526 a year and Western Michigan University about $29,237. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Baker College or Western Michigan University?
- Western Michigan University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,263 there, against about $11,976 at Baker College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Baker College or Western Michigan University?
- Western Michigan University is the larger of the two, with about 12,568 undergraduates against 3,026 at Baker College.
- Does Baker College or Western Michigan University have a better graduation rate?
- Western Michigan University has the higher graduation rate, at about 58% against 33% at Baker College.
- Do graduates of Baker College or Western Michigan University earn more?
- Western Michigan University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $53,562 ten years after enrolling, against about $35,833 for Baker College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Baker College and Western Michigan University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Baker College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Western Michigan University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Baker College and Western Michigan University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 960–1160 at Baker College and 990–1220 at Western Michigan University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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