Kalamazoo, MI · Private University
Is Western Michigan University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$53,562
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$15,298
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,098
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$76,392
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.81x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
57.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,188
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,701
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Western Michigan University graduates earn $8,562 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Western Michigan University ranked by graduate earnings
50 graduates
25 graduates
70 graduates
60 graduates
37 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Western Michigan University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Western Michigan University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $88,673) and the lowest (Natural Resources Conservation and Research: $21,919) is $66,754/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $88,673 | 4.6x |
| Paper Science and Engineering(1yr data) | $86,401 | 4.5x |
| Computer Science | $82,887 | 4.3x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $82,719 | 4.3x |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $81,608 | 4.3x |
| Industrial Engineering | $78,391 | 4.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $78,314 | 4.1x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $75,617 | 4.0x |
| Chemical Engineering | $75,501 | 4.0x |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $74,805 | 3.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $69,950 | 3.7x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,115 | 3.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $65,945 | 3.5x |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies | $65,565 | 3.4x |
| Air Transportation | $65,149 | 3.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,643 | 3.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $63,096 | 3.3x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $62,689 | 3.3x |
| Marketing | $60,095 | 3.1x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $57,047 | 3.0x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $53,197 | 2.8x |
| Biology, General | $49,044 | 2.6x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $48,899 | 2.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,189 | 2.5x |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $47,306 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,266 | 2.5x |
| Sociology | $47,199 | 2.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,068 | 2.5x |
| Social Work | $46,946 | 2.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,512 | 2.4x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $45,443 | 2.4x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $44,655 | 2.3x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $43,549 | 2.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,327 | 2.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $41,176 | 2.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,058 | 2.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $39,307 | 2.1x |
| Psychology, General | $38,906 | 2.0x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $38,672 | 2.0x |
| International/Global Studies | $36,596 | 1.9x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $34,119 | 1.8x |
| History | $33,985 | 1.8x |
| Music | $31,996 | 1.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,264 | 1.5x |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(1yr data) | $28,765 | 1.5x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $26,263 | 1.4x |
| Dance | $25,240 | 1.3x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(1yr data) | $23,846 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $22,670 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchLowest(1yr data) | $21,919 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Western Michigan University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $53,562 10 years after starting, $8,562 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.1 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.