Saginaw Valley State University vs Western Michigan University
Saginaw Valley State University is a public university in University Center, MI, and Western Michigan University is a public university in Kalamazoo, MI. Saginaw Valley State University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 72% of applicants against 85% at Western Michigan University. Saginaw Valley State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $10,775 a year against $15,273 at Western Michigan University. About 58% of students graduate at Western Michigan University, compared with 51% at Saginaw Valley State University. Ten years after enrolling, Western Michigan University alumni earn a median of about $53,562, against $51,955 for Saginaw Valley State University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
University Center, MI
Kalamazoo, MI
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
5,989
12,568
Acceptance rate
72%
85%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.36–3.86
3.38–3.88
SAT (middle 50%)
920–1170
990–1220
ACT (middle 50%)
18–26
20–27
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$10,775
$15,273
Full cost / yr
$24,936
$29,237
In-state tuition
$12,930
$15,252
Out-of-state tuition
$30,450
$19,034
Application fee
Not reported
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,844
$5,263
$30k - $48k
$19,711
$5,734
$48k - $75k
$20,053
$13,833
$75k - $110k
$18,879
$18,307
Over $110k
$24,103
$23,625
Outcomes
Graduation rate
51%
58%
Freshman retention
78%
81%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$43,530
$45,356
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,955
$53,562
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$26,188
Student body
Pell grant recipients
35%
27%
First-generation students
33%
29%
International students
3%
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 Saginaw Valley State University or Western Michigan University harder to get into?
- Saginaw Valley State University is harder to get into. It admits about 72% 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, Saginaw Valley State University or Western Michigan University?
- Saginaw Valley State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $10,775 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Western Michigan University?
- Before aid, Saginaw Valley State University costs about $24,936 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, Saginaw Valley State University or Western Michigan University?
- Western Michigan University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,263 there, against about $9,844 at Saginaw Valley State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Saginaw Valley State University or Western Michigan University?
- Western Michigan University is the larger of the two, with about 12,568 undergraduates against 5,989 at Saginaw Valley State University.
- Does Saginaw Valley State University or Western Michigan University have a better graduation rate?
- Western Michigan University has the higher graduation rate, at about 58% against 51% at Saginaw Valley State University.
- Do graduates of Saginaw Valley State University 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 $51,955 for Saginaw Valley State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Saginaw Valley State University and Western Michigan University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Western Michigan University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 920–1170 at Saginaw Valley State University and 990–1220 at Western Michigan University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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