GeraMarket / US College ROI / Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University: College ROI
Kalamazoo, MI · 12,568 undergraduates. Median 10-yr earnings: $53,562 · Median debt: $26,188 · Net price: $15,273/yr · GEROI: 2.3/100.
What is the return on investment for Western Michigan University?
As of June 2026, Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) alumni have a median income of $53,562 ten years after entry — 2.5% below the cohort median of $54,940 — with median debt of $26,188 and a net annual cost of $15,273, per the US Dept of Education College Scorecard (public domain). Gera Education ROI Index: 2.3/100 (Below-average ROI).
GEROI tier: Below-average ROI (2.3/100)
Based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised within the top-300 US institutions by enrollment. See full methodology.
Western Michigan University — key figures (June 2026)
| Measure | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Median 10-yr earnings | $53,562 | MD_EARN_WNE_P10 (June 2026) — 2.5% below cohort median |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,188 | GRAD_DEBT_MDN (June 2026) — 44.7% above cohort median ($18,095) |
| Annual net price | $15,273/yr | NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV (June 2026) — 13.5% above cohort median ($13,461/yr) |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 12,568 | UGDS — total undergrad enrolled (June 2026) |
| GEROI score | 2.3 / 100 | Gera Education ROI Index (Below-average ROI) — normalised within top-300 cohort |
Compare Western Michigan University with other MI institutions
Filter, sort, and rank all institutions in our database by state, GEROI score, earnings, debt, or net price — personalised to your criteria.
Higher = better ROI
| # | Institution | GEROI | 10-yr earnings | Median debt | Net price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Macomb Community CollegeWarren, MI | 30.4/100 | $41,596 | $6,000 | $1,618/yr | View |
| #2 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI | 6.6/100 | $83,648 | $19,500 | $13,138/yr | View |
| #3 | Oakland Community CollegeAuburn Hills, MI | 6.6/100 | $37,395 | $9,105 | $5,777/yr | View |
| #4 | Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI | 5.3/100 | $58,612 | $22,750 | $9,120/yr | View |
| #5 | Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI | 3.3/100 | $53,493 | $21,250 | $12,766/yr | View |
| #6 | Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI | 2.9/100 | $67,253 | $23,250 | $19,680/yr | View |
| #7 | Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI | 2.5/100 | $56,118 | $24,500 | $16,317/yr | View |
| #8 | Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI | 2.3/100 | $53,562 | $26,188 | $15,273/yr | View |
Showing top 25 of 8 matching institutions. Source: US Dept of Education — College Scorecard (June 2026).
GEROI (Gera Education ROI Index) = normalised score 0–100 based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ annual net price. Data: College Scorecard June 2026, public domain, no key required.
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the average earnings for Western Michigan University graduates?
- In June 2026, the median earnings for working Western Michigan University alumni 10 years after first enrollment are $53,562, per the US Department of Education College Scorecard (MD_EARN_WNE_P10). This is 2.5% below the top-300-institution cohort median of $54,940.
- What is the typical student debt for Western Michigan University graduates?
- The median cumulative debt at graduation for Western Michigan University students is $26,188, per the College Scorecard (GRAD_DEBT_MDN, June 2026). This is 44.7% above cohort median ($18,095).
- What does Western Michigan University actually cost after financial aid?
- The average annual net price at Western Michigan University — the cost actually paid after grants and scholarships are applied — is $15,273/yr, per the College Scorecard (NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV, June 2026). This is 13.5% above cohort median ($13,461/yr).
- What is Western Michigan University's GEROI score?
- Western Michigan University's Gera Education ROI Index (GEROI) is 2.3/100 (Below-average ROI). GEROI = (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised 0–100 across the top-300 US colleges by enrollment. A score of 2.3 means Western Michigan University is in the lower half of the cohort on financial return per dollar of net tuition. See the methodology page for the full formula.
- Is Western Michigan University worth it financially?
- Based on College Scorecard data (June 2026): Western Michigan University has a median 10-yr earnings of $53,562, median debt of $26,188, and net price of $15,273/yr — giving a GEROI of 2.3/100. Whether it's "worth it" depends on your field of study, career goals, and financial situation — GEROI provides the factual financial context, not a personalised recommendation.
Other MI institutions (by GEROI)
- Macomb Community College — GEROI 30.4/100 · $41,596 10yr
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — GEROI 6.6/100 · $83,648 10yr
- Oakland Community College — GEROI 6.6/100 · $37,395 10yr
- Oakland University — GEROI 5.3/100 · $58,612 10yr
- Wayne State University — GEROI 3.3/100 · $53,493 10yr
- Michigan State University — GEROI 2.9/100 · $67,253 10yr
- All 300 institutions →
Contains public sector information published by US Department of Education and licensed under the US Federal Government Open Data (public domain). Source: US Department of Education — College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution Data) (June 2026, published 10 June 2026).