Housing and Residence Life is about more than a place to sleep. We provide a safe and supportive environment that gives students a foundation for success and a place to call home. Students can choose a variety of housing options from traditional residence halls to fully equipped apartments.
Who are our students?
- One in three Western Michigan University students live on campus.
- 91 percent of first-year students live in the residence halls.
- One in four students in the residence halls are upper-level students.
- One in three residence hall students are in a Living Learning Community.
- An average of 32 percent of residence hall students return for another year in the halls, and the percent grows annually.
- 34 countries were represented in university housing in fall 2023.
What housing options exist?
- 8 residence halls.
- Six with suites.
- Two with semi-private bathrooms.
- Three apartment complexes.
- One, two, three or four bedroom units.
- Fall and spring, summer or 11-month contracts available (varies by complex).
- Furnished or unfurnished options.
- Family housing available.
- One residence hall with a fall and spring or summer contract option (residents must be 21+).
- 10 Living Learning Community options, eight with an academic college connection.
- A Master Plan that includes renovation and new construction for housing and dining at WMU.
Can where you live really impact your grades?
Absolutely! When students live on campus, they are not only closer to academic supports like the library or Writing Center, but they have a staff invested in their academic success.
- Students who choose a single room and have a 3.3 cumulative GPA at the end of the spring semester receive a discounted rate the following fall (a savings of almost $3,000 annually).
- 67 percent of fall 2022 residence hall students had a 3.0 or higher fall semester GPA.
- WMU retention rates for on-campus students average eight percent higher from year one to year two compared to off-campus students.
- Academic learning community students tend to have average higher term GPAs than their non-learning community peers. The difference was +0.23 in fall 2020.
- Learning community students graduate at higher rates than students living off campus.
- For the last two years, the average term GPA of residence halls student staff is 3.40.