Cost of Attendance
We know how crucial it is for you and your family to know your cost breakdown to attend WMU. That’s why we’ve created an estimated cost of attendance budget so you can have the necessary information to plan out your expenditures. We also provide a cost of attendance calculator tool to further help you examine your total costs.
The estimated cost of attendance budget is used solely for financial aid offers and includes:
- Tuition: the base cost of classes
- Fees: mandatory institutional fees
- Housing: cost for on and off campus housing
- Food: meal plans
- Books: estimated cost for textbooks
- Supplies: other academic materials
- Miscellaneous personal expenses: cost for personal items and other non-academic needs
- Transportation: allowances for travel between home, school and work
- Loan fees: estimated fees associated with federal student loans
- Other specific costs: costs related to specific programs, such as, study abroad or disability related expenses
The estimated cost is based upon averages for each category. These numbers are not reflective of actual or projected costs. Actual tuition, fees and University housing costs are published each year after July 1 and are subject to approval by the WMU Board of Trustees. Factors considered are residency status, class level and admission status, planned enrollment and housing options of on campus, off campus or living with parents.
Financial aid eligibility is based in part on the cost of attendance. Financial aid may not exceed the cost of attendance. For a more specific estimate of your costs, use the estimated cost of attendance calculator.
For an estimate of your net price, use our net price calculator. A net price is your cost of attendance—including tuition, fees, books and other costs—minus your estimated financial aid. You will see that your COA will be broken down into direct costs and indirect costs.
- Direct costs: include tuition, fees, on-campus housing and food and are billed to your student account directly by the University.
- Indirect costs: include books, loan fees, supplies, transportation, off-campus housing, miscellaneous personal expenses and are expenses you may incur that are related to your attendance at WMU.
99%
50+
60%
of students receive grant money directly from the school, which is above the national average for public schools
What is the estimated cost for Michigan residents?
Estimated tuition and fees are based on the flat-rate tuition policy of 12-15 credit hours per semester on Main Campus for undergraduate and graduate resident and nonresident students. Please note that these rates do not apply to students in the Haworth College of Business, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and College of Fine Arts. See the tuition and fees below to view all rates and fees.
What is the estimated cost for nonresidents?
Estimated tuition and fees are based on the flat-rate tuition policy of 12-15 credit hours per semester on Main Campus for undergraduate and graduate resident and nonresident students. Please note that these rates do not apply to students in the Haworth College of Business, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and College of Fine Arts. Visit the Registrar's Office webpage to view all rates and fees.
Tuition and fees
The tuition rate for Western Michigan University is set by the Board of Trustees. Tuition and fees are typically due the first day of the semester or session.
I have come to realize that in addition to having so many opportunities for students—academically, financially and emotionally speaking—this institution promotes diversity, which becomes crucial for students like me, so that we can feel comfortable and welcomed to then be able to succeed academically.
Affordability:
Tuition and fees:
Western's tuition rate is set by the Board of Trustees. These rates are broken down by semester, undergraduate resident and nonresident, graduate resident and nonresident, college and campus.
