Western Michigan University

In 2022, Western Michigan University's tuition was $13,850 a year for in-state students and $17,312 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not always give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students owe much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

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

Western Michigan University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $13,850 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to verify your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. 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 additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Michigan colleges

Is Western Michigan University's Tuition Different for International Students?

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

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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Western Michigan University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. 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

Room and board at Western Michigan University is $11,156 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Western Michigan University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Board costs may vary depending on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Western Michigan University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real 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 used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Western Michigan University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area is often expensive, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Western Michigan University campus is in a urban setting in Michigan.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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The Full Cost of Attending Western Michigan University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, 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.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$13,850
Out-of-State Tuition	$17,312
Room and Board	$11,156
Other expenses	$1,540

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.

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Western Michigan University Financial Aid

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In 2022, 7,243 of the 15,309 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Western Michigan University meets 51% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $10,737 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 $36,317 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$26,033
Private Loans	$36,936

Most Common Loans for Western Michigan University Students
Federal Loans	67%
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 2022, Western Michigan University awarded 6,285 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $59.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $15.62 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Western Michigan University

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 $10,737 in 2022. 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	$6,200
Net In-state, Off-campus	$4,241
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$20,399.5

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 make more informed decisions about 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.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Western Michigan University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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

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Learn More About Western Michigan University

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