Location: Kalamazoo, MI•In-State Tuition: $15,298•Out-of-State Tuition: $19,098•Admission Rate: 85%•Avg SAT: 1108
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$49,986
Est. from MI median (8 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,625
Est. from MI median (4 programs)

Analysis

Drawing from Michigan's business programs, Western Michigan appears to deliver middle-of-the-road outcomes—comparable programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $50,000 against debt near $27,600. That 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio lands in reasonable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first year's salary, manageable compared to many degree programs.

The challenge is competitive positioning. Top business programs at Oakland, Walsh, and Cleary produce graduates earning $53,000-$56,000 in their first year based on reported data—a meaningful $3,000-$6,000 premium over what similar programs typically deliver. Western's 85% admission rate and middle-tier SAT scores suggest it's accessible, but that accessibility doesn't translate to standout economic outcomes in a crowded Michigan business education market with 13 competing programs.

For families weighing this investment, the question becomes whether Western's specific advantages—campus life, location in Kalamazoo, or program features—justify potentially leaving $3,000-$6,000 annually on the table compared to peers. The debt load isn't alarming, but in business education where your network and institutional brand matter, middle-tier outcomes from a program with suppressed data should prompt concrete questions about placement rates, recruiting partnerships, and whether this particular bachelor's degree opens the doors your student needs.

Where Western Michigan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Western Michigan University (estimated ±10%)Other business/commerce programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (13 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo$15,298$49,986*—$27,625*—
Oakland UniversityRochester Hills$14,694$56,118*$56,029$27,250*0.49
Walsh CollegeTroy—$55,524*$65,539$18,000*0.32
Cleary UniversityHowell$24,842$53,495*—$19,161*0.36
Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids$23,324$52,491*$57,180$31,000*0.59
Kalamazoo CollegeKalamazoo$58,764$47,481*$64,986$26,000*0.55
National Median—$47,506*—$26,000*0.55
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Western Michigan University, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.