Student Achievement Data

Student success is at the core of Western Michigan University's mission. Every day, a diverse student body finds access, opportunity, growth and, ultimately, personal and professional success at WMU. Here are some of the basic outcomes of the WMU commitment to recruit, retain, and graduate students from around the globe.

Demographics

WMU's student body is made up of people from 81 counties in Michigan, 50 states in the U.S., and 96 other countries. Relatively balanced in terms of gender—with males accounting for 47.2 percent of the student population and females at 52.8 percent—the student body totals over 17,000 as of fall 2022 census (the most recent data available). It is heavily represented—71.8 percent—by Michigan residents. Students from underrepresented minority populations make up 21.8 percent of the student body, while 12.2 percent of students come to WMU from other nations. A little over 19 percent of WMU students are studying at the graduate level. And, 23.3 percent of WMU students receive Pell grants. For more information on student demographics, see https://wmich.edu/institutionalresearch/interactivedashboards.

Retention and graduation rates

Fall 2022, the most recent year for which information is reported, saw 76.5 percent of the prior year’s first-time first-year students returning for their second year. Also, 55.1 percent of fall 2016 beginners – the latest cohort for which a six-year graduation rate is available - earned a WMU degree within six years of their first semester. Others are still enrolled and on-track for graduation; some have moved to other schools to complete their degrees, while WMU has similarly welcomed transfer students to its campus. For more information on retention and graduation rates, see https://wmich.edu/institutionalresearch/reportsanddashboards/retention-graduation.

Number of degrees awarded annually

During fiscal year 2021-22, the most recent year for which information is reported, WMU awarded a total of 4,788 degrees—3,614 at the bachelor’s level; 1,013 at the master’s level, 159 at the doctoral level, and two at the specialist level. For more information on degrees conferred at WMU, see https://wmich.edu/institutionalresearch/interactivedashboards/degrees/data.

Post-graduate success

Of those who graduated during fiscal year 2021-22, the most recent year for which information is reported, 72 percent participated in the annual Post-Graduation Activity Report sponsored by WMU’s Career and Student Employment Services. A total of 93 percent of participants reported that they were actively employed or continuing their education. For those employed full-time, 92 percent have a job related to their field of study, the majority of whom (91%) are satisfied with their job. The median salary range for baccalaureate-level respondents ranged from $50,000 to $55,000 range, while the median salary for graduate-level respondents ranged from $60,000 to $65,000. For more information on post-graduation success, see https://wmich.edu/career/planning.

Certification Rates

Some professions require graduating students to become certified prior to becoming employed. Certification exam pass rates that are required to be posted by specialized program accreditation agencies are available for the following programs:

• Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and the M.A. in Speech and Language Pathology programs at https://wmich.edu/speech-audiology/outcomes
• B.S. programs in in Aviation Flight Science, Aviation Maintenance Technology/Aviation Technical Operations, and Aviation Management and Operations at https://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u308/2022/AABI%20Approved%20Student%20Achievement%20Data%20WMU%202022%20Final.pdf
• B.S. in Occupational Therapy (program has not yet graduated its first cohort). Once available, the program will provide results from the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) at https://wmich.edu/ot/academics/ota
• O.T.D. Doctor of Occupational Therapy (program has not yet graduated its first cohort). Once available, the program will provide results from the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) at https://wmich.edu/ot/academics/otd
• D.P.T. Doctor of Physical Therapy at https://wmich.edu/physicaltherapy/dpt/outcomes
• M.S.M. in Physician Assistant at https://wmich.edu/pa/about/certification

State certification or licensure is also required to practice in certain fields such as counseling, nursing, piloting, psychology, and teaching. Information on pass rates for state exams can be obtained by contacting state offices governing licensure. In Michigan, contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) at https://www.michigan.gov/lara