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Western Michigan University acceptance rate & admissions

Western Michigan University admits 85% of applicants, most. For Fall 2023, 17,020 of 20,100 applicants were admitted and 2,472 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional).

Check your chances at WMU → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
85%

More selective than 27% of Michigan colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

58% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 6% sent ACT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
15%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose WMU over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied20,100
Admitted17,020
Enrolled2,472

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

What WMU weighs when deciding

How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as WMU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.

Very important
  • High school GPA
Important
  • Rigor of high school courses
Considered
  • Class rank
  • Essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
Not considered
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Interview
  • Talent or ability
  • Character and personal qualities
  • First-generation college student
  • Alumni relation (legacy)
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation
  • Your demonstrated interest

Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

High school GPA of WMU first-year students

Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.55. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.

4.018.8%
3.75–3.9921.7%
3.50–3.7417%
3.25–3.4914.8%
3.00–3.2413.1%
2.50–2.9913.6%
2.00–2.490.9%
1.00–1.990.1%

Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

WMU admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 202485%———College Scorecard
Fall 202385%500–620490–60020–27IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is WMU compared with other Michigan colleges?

WMU has the 31st-lowest acceptance rate of 42 Michigan colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
27Baker College82%36%$13,157
28Grand Valley State University83%67%$16,317
29The University of Olivet83%35%$21,393
30Northern Michigan University84%52%$14,085
31Western Michigan University85%58%$15,273
32Michigan State University85%81%$19,680
33Oakland University88%58%$9,120
34Central Michigan University90%59%$17,597
35Aquinas College90%65%$16,626

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Michigan colleges →

Who enrolls at WMU

First-year students who return for year two81%
First-year students from Michigan78%
Pell Grant recipients27%
First-generation students29%
Women / men52% / 48%
International students4%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

WMU admissions questions

What is the WMU acceptance rate?

Western Michigan University accepts 85% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 17,020 of 20,100 applicants were admitted.

Does WMU require the SAT or ACT?

Western Michigan University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 58% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores.

How many admitted students enroll at WMU?

15% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,472 of 17,020).

What does WMU look for in applicants?

Western Michigan University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA. Important: rigor of high school courses. Considered: class rank, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Is WMU getting harder to get into?

Western Michigan University accepted 85% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 85% for Fall 2023.

Is WMU the right fit for your family?

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; WMU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Western Michigan University overview