1.  [College research](/)
2.  /
3.  [Western Michigan University](/school/western-michigan-university/)
4.  /
5.  Similar & reach alternatives

Similar & reach alternatives

Copy linkPrint brief

# Schools Similar to Western Michigan University

Updated September 30, 2026

[Overview](/school/western-michigan-university/)[Cost & aid](/school/western-michigan-university/cost/)[Outcomes](/school/western-michigan-university/outcomes/)[Admissions](/school/western-michigan-university/admissions/)[Majors](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/)Similar schools

**On this page**+

## Compare alternatives to Western Michigan University

-   [Similar admissions profiles](#similar-admissions) · 5 matches
-   [Higher admission rates](#higher-admission) · 4 matches
-   [Nearby alternatives](#nearby-alternatives) · 5 matches
-   [Higher earnings at similar cost](#higher-earnings) · 2 matches
-   [Lower cost with similar earnings](#lower-cost) · 5 matches
-   [Similar overall profiles](#related-peers) · 10 matches

## Similar admissions profiles

Similar admissions profiles · matching order within this group

| School | Western Michigan University · admission rate | Admission rate | Earnings |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/) | 84.6% | 89.8% | $61,298 4 years after completion |
| [Aquinas College](/school/aquinas-college/) | 84.6% | 89.9% | $51,578 4 years after completion |
| [Ferris State University](/school/ferris-state-university/) | 84.6% | 91.4% | $64,721 4 years after completion |
| [University of Illinois Springfield](/school/university-of-illinois-springfield/) | 84.6% | 85.9% | $63,235 4 years after completion |
| [University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire](/school/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire/) | 84.6% | 82.3% | $60,838 4 years after completion |

[Matching method and source notes](#peer-matching)

## Higher admission rates

Higher admission rates · matching order within this group

| School | Western Michigan University · admission rate | Admission rate | Earnings |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Davenport University | 84.6% | 97.8% | $69,009 4 years after completion |
| University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | 84.6% | 96.0% | $62,831 4 years after completion |
| [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee](/school/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee/) | 84.6% | 100.0% | $62,480 4 years after completion |
| [Wright State University-Main Campus](/school/wright-state-university-main-campus/) | 84.6% | 96.3% | $62,601 4 years after completion |

[Matching method and source notes](#peer-matching)

## Nearby alternatives

Nearby alternatives · matching order within this group

| School | State | Earnings |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/) | MI | $61,298 4 years after completion |
| [Grand Valley State University](/school/grand-valley-state-university/) | MI | $60,491 4 years after completion |
| [Ferris State University](/school/ferris-state-university/) | MI | $64,721 4 years after completion |
| [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/) | MI | $68,551 4 years after completion |
| Northwood University | MI | $67,409 4 years after completion |

[Matching method and source notes](#peer-matching)

## Higher earnings at similar cost

Higher earnings at similar cost · matching order within this group

| School | Western Michigan University · earnings | Earnings | Average annual net price |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [San Jose State University](/school/san-jose-state-university/) | $62,885 4 years after completion | $89,614 4 years after completion | $13,760 |
| [University of Massachusetts-Lowell](/school/university-of-massachusetts-lowell/) | $62,885 4 years after completion | $81,163 4 years after completion | $17,163 |

[Matching method and source notes](#peer-matching)

## Lower cost with similar earnings

Lower cost with similar earnings · matching order within this group

| School | Western Michigan University · average annual net price | Average annual net price | Earnings |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Ferris State University](/school/ferris-state-university/) | $15,273 | $8,624 | $64,721 4 years after completion |
| [Indiana University-South Bend](/school/indiana-university-south-bend/) | $15,273 | $8,653 | $55,103 4 years after completion |
| Andrews University | $15,273 | $12,547 | $60,517 4 years after completion |
| [CUNY Brooklyn College](/school/cuny-brooklyn-college/) | $15,273 | $3,103 | $62,833 4 years after completion |
| [California State University-Los Angeles](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/) | $15,273 | $3,967 | $59,756 4 years after completion |

[Matching method and source notes](#peer-matching)

## Similar overall profiles

Similar overall profiles · matching order within this group

| School | State | Earnings |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Minnesota State University-Mankato](/school/minnesota-state-university-mankato/) | MN | $64,235 4 years after completion |
| [University of Nebraska at Omaha](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-omaha/) | NE | $60,448 4 years after completion |
| [Indiana University-Indianapolis](/school/indiana-university-indianapolis/) | IN | $64,616 4 years after completion |
| [Northern Illinois University](/school/northern-illinois-university/) | IL | $64,583 4 years after completion |
| [Wichita State University](/school/wichita-state-university/) | KS | $59,707 4 years after completion |
| [Oakland University](/school/oakland-university/) | MI | $68,708 4 years after completion |
| [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/) | MI | $61,298 4 years after completion |
| [Kansas State University](/school/kansas-state-university/) | KS | $64,711 4 years after completion |
| [University of Akron Main Campus](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/) | OH | $62,809 4 years after completion |
| [Ball State University](/school/ball-state-university/) | IN | $57,619 4 years after completion |

[Matching method and source notes](#peer-matching)

## Matching methods and sources

[How schools are matched](/methodology/).

## Data & methodology

Sources and reporting periods: [methodology](/methodology/).

Analysis and methodology by [Daniel Rogers](/about/#founder), founder of College Azimuth.

Explanatory text is AI-assisted drafting checked against those figures; it is not an additional data source.

Figure notes link to sources and limitations. [About College Azimuth](/about/).