Western Michigan University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Western Michigan University was $14,494 a year for in-state students and $18,118 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students pay much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 18,118 per year for tuition at Western Michigan University.

Western Michigan University meets 57.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Western Michigan University is around $13,151 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $35,393 in student loans per borrower.

Does Western Michigan University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Western Michigan University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $14,494 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For non-Michigan residents, out-of-state tuition is $18,118 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a college where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to confirm your state's criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Michigan colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Western Michigan University?

Western Michigan University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Western Michigan University can expect to pay around $18,118 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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Western Michigan University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Western Michigan University.

House and Food Costs at Western Michigan University

Housing and campus dining at Western Michigan University costs $11,156 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat in the Western Michigan University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Western Michigan University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Western Michigan University

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is usually costly, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Western Michigan University campus is in a city in Michigan.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Western Michigan University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Western Michigan University.

How Much Does Western Michigan University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Western Michigan University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$14,494
Out-of-State Tuition	$18,118
Room and Board	$11,156
Other expenses	$1,564

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Western Michigan University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students

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Western Michigan University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 5,748 of the 14,434 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Western Michigan University meets 57.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $13,151 a year. Around 68% of Western Michigan University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Western Michigan University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $35,393 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$25,336
Private Loans	$36,232

Most Common Loans for Western Michigan University Students
Federal Loans	66%
Private loans	20%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Western Michigan University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Western Michigan University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Western Michigan University awarded 5,080 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $53.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $16.35 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Western Michigan University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Western Michigan University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Western Michigan University was $13,151 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Western Michigan University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$2,140
Net In-state, Off-campus	$2,571
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$18,915

What will attending Western Michigan University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Western Michigan University's net cost calculator on their website.

Western Michigan University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Western Michigan University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Western Michigan University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Western Michigan University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Western Michigan University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Western Michigan University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Western Michigan University's endowment was $557.1 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Western Michigan University spends about $12,339 a year.

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Learn More About Western Michigan University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

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