Western Michigan University

Located in the city of Kalamazoo in southern Michigan, Western Michigan University (WMU) offers a comprehensive suite of more than 250 study programs to both undergraduate and graduate-level learners. It ranks in the top 160 public schools in the country (US News & World Report, 2025).

Career-focused degree programs propel students directly into meaningful careers. In 2024, 93 percent of WMU students participated in Experience-Driven Learning at the University, with 9 out of 10 graduates reporting quick employment in jobs that they like. Ninety-five percent of graduates are working full time in a job related to their degree (WMU Career Outcomes Report, 2024).

Degree programs at WMU cover an expanse of subject areas and interdisciplinary study is encouraged. Participation in research projects is available at all levels of study and is not only limited to graduate students. All learners receive guidance in choosing their majors, minors, and elective courses and are fully supported by faculty across all areas of study.

Students at WMU are familiarly known as "Broncos" and are part of a diverse and vibrant university community. There are almost 400 student organizations to get involved in, Division 1 athletics and multiple club sports and extra-curricular activities and facilities to enjoy, including a student recreation center.

Students benefit from living and learning in the mid-sized city of Kalamazoo, ranked the third best metro area in America for new college graduates (Smart Asset, 2023). WMU is ideally located in the stunning Great Lakes area, between the metropolises of Chicago and Detroit, and under an hour's drive from Lake Michigan.

WMU offers academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged, with curricula focusing on the development of real-world skills and meaningful career paths. Research is embedded into learning at all levels and is not limited to graduate studies.

Students benefit from small class sizes, with a student-faculty ratio averaging 16:1 depending on the individual college and subject being studied. In 2024, 97 percent of WMU students reported that they had been taught by faculty who made them excited about learning (WMU Career Outcomes Report, 2024).

Undergraduate

WMU offers over 150 undergraduate programs, with students able to tailor their study experience by selecting majors and minors. The university prides itself in offering a multi-faceted approach to learning, including knowledge and practical skills obtained in the classroom as well as Experience-Driven Learning opportunities, such as work placements and research.

Graduate

WMU is home to 3,700 graduate students and 150 advanced degree programs. Programs are acclaimed both nationally and internationally, with five fields (audiology, occupational therapy, social work, speech-language pathology, and statistics) ranked in the top 100 in the 2025 US News & World Report ranking.

Western Michigan University uses a college structure, through which its various study and research programs are organized. The university has eight academic colleges, and there are also opportunities for students to get involved in interdisciplinary study programs.

• College of Arts and Science: Prepare for a range of careers in the humanities, social sciences and sciences.
• College of Aviation: Fast-track careers as a pilot, technician or manager through WMU's professional network of industry leaders.
• Haworth College of Business: Graduate with greater confidence and better job opportunities thanks to unique learning experiences that take students outside of the classroom.
• College of Education and Human Development: Benefit from a wide selection of professional career options in education, dietetics, fashion, exercise science and more.
• College of Engineering and Applied Sciences: Work to design a sustainable future and explore new technologies that advance our world. Graduates have a median starting salary of USD 70K-90K. (WMU Career Outcomes Report, 2024).
• College of Fine Arts: Shape careers of dreams and learn to integrate theory and practice from faculty who are established, working artists in a vibrant arts community.
• College of Health and Human Services: Follow a high-demand professional pathway focusing on health care, community and population health, or therapeutic and rehabilitation sciences.

WMU is also home to:

• Merze Tate College: An alliance of services, units and departments that exists to help empower every student to reach their highest potential. This includes academic advising, career and employment services and student support.
• Graduate College: home to 3,700 graduate students.
• Lee Honors College: home to over 2,000 high-achieving students.

The admissions requirements for WMU vary between individual courses and depend on the individual subject as well as the level of study. At the undergraduate level, applicants must have at least a minimum GPA of 2.5. Some programs in the Aviation and Fine Arts colleges have additional requirements.

For graduate programs, the minimum GPA is a 3.0. Each graduate program maintains their own requirements for GPA, test scores, and other factors. Students are encouraged to review the specifics of their preferred program prior to submitting an application.

International students should follow the application process for their chosen level of study (undergraduate or graduate). It's important to have all the relevant documents in hand at the point of application, including:

• Completed application form
• Proof of funds
• Transcripts or exam results
• English language test results
• Any additional course-specific requirements, such as a portfolio

English language

International students must provide evidence of their English language proficiency in order to study at WMU. Standard requirements for undergraduate programs are as follows:

• Undergraduate students: IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.0
• Aviation flight science students (undergraduate): IELTS (Academic) overall score of 7.0
• Graduate students: IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5

Other English language test results are also accepted. The university offers its own intensive English course for students who do not quite meet the required level for admission.

Campus facilities

WMU boasts a campus of over 1,270 acres, filled with state-of-the-art facilities, technologies and resources designed to inspire learning and augment innovation. The campus is continually receiving investment and new developments and renovations ensure students live and learn in a dynamic, modern environment.

In addition to purpose-built classrooms, study spaces, and laboratories, students benefit from WMU's expansive Waldo Library. The library offers an extensive selection of physical and digital collections, as well as group and individual study spaces and computer stations.

The WMU Student Center is a student-focused hub for learners to relax, socialize and get involved in the University community.

Research

At WMU's research centers, students benefit from cutting-edge equipment and technologies. The university prides itself in the impact and caliber of its research, and encourages students at all levels of study to get involved in its research projects. In 2024, the university received USD 59.6 million in research grants.

Accommodation

WMU offers a range of housing options on campus, where students enjoy living in a safe, supported and welcoming environments. Options include seven residence halls and three apartment complexes, with male, female and all-gender spaces available. Meal plans are available for on-campus dining. Carryout locations and fast-casual restaurants are also available.

WMU offers a range of funding to assist international students with the cost of study.

Scholarships

WMU has a scholarship exclusively for international students, which is primarily based on merit, but may also take into account financial need.

International scholarships include:

• Global Education Merit Scholarship: offering up to USD 10,000 per year for up to eight semesters, to eligible international undergraduate and graduate students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 as funding is available.
• Scholarships offered directly by the academic colleges or departments.

Graduate students can make use of a range of fellowships, associateships and assistantships. Research and travel funds are also available to further ease the costs of study. International students should check with their college of interest with details.

Campus infrastructure

WMU is constantly investing in its facilities and infrastructure on campus to improve the overall student experience.

• Golden Oaks: A brand-new Golden Oaks residence hall is set to open in Goldsworth Valley in the fall of 2026. This state-of-the-art building will accommodate over 1,000 students in modern rooms with dynamic and versatile communal spaces.
• West Michigan Avenue redevelopment: A stretch of this area on WMU's main campus will be entirely redeveloped into a sustainable outdoor space and pedestrian mall. This area will include wide walkways, communal seating areas and green landscaping.
• Rewilding: Old, unused spaces on campus are being rebuilt and reused as areas for nature and green spaces.

Rankings

In the 2025 US News & World Report, WMU ranked 158^th place for top public schools nationally. It also ranked in the top 100 for graduate programs in five fields:

• Audiology
• Occupational therapy
• Social work
• Speech-language pathology
• Statistics