WMU's tuition & fees has increased from $25,713 (2015) to $19,952 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 22.41% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $27,881 (year 2015) to $29,681 (year 2025).
WMU's tuition increase rate is lower than the Michigan's average increase rate of 21.56%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is lower than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by -5.97% from 2015 ($38,232).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, WMU's COA is $35,951, which is increased by 3.99% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to WMU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have decreased 22.41% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $19,826. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Western Michigan University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,128, and it has increased 20.26% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $938 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $948 | 1.07% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $958 | 1.05% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $968 | 1.04% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $987 | 1.96% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $987 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $1,106 | 12.06% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $1,128 | 1.99% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,128 | |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $1,128 | |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 24.60% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 25.59% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Western Michigan University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $11,581 | $11,487 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $11,927 | $11,927 | 2.99% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $12,238 | $12,238 | 2.61% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $12,558 | $12,558 | 2.61% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $13,067 | $13,067 | 4.05% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $13,067 | $13,067 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $13,407 | $13,407 | 2.60% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $13,675 | $13,675 | 2.00% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $14,344 | $14,344 | 4.89% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $14,871 | $14,871 | 3.67% |
|---|
Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Western Michigan University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Western Michigan University | $19,952
($15,987) | $19,098
($15,298) | 4.47% |
|---|
|
| Central Michigan University | $15,480
($15,480) | $14,312
($14,312) | 8.16% |
|---|
|
| University at Buffalo | $31,536
($10,936) | $30,572
($10,782) | 3.15% |
|---|
|
| University of Akron Main Campus | $20,815
($13,135) | $17,239
($12,799) | 20.74% |
|---|
|
| Eastern Michigan University | $16,990
($16,990) | $16,260
($16,260) | 4.49% |
|---|
|
| Northern Illinois University | $13,060
($13,060) | $12,506
($12,506) | 4.43% |
|---|
|