Student Financial Aid

Student Financial Aid
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5337 USA
(269) 387-6000

Cost of Attendance

We know how crucial it is for you and your family to know your cost breakdown to attend 51¸£ÀûÉç. 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 51¸£ÀûÉç 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 . 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 51¸£ÀûÉç. 
     

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.

Undergraduate
Resident On/Off Campus
 Summer IIFall and SpringSummer I
Tuition$3,768$15,074$3,768
Standard Fees$25$100$25
Housing and Food$3,121$12,482$3,121
Books/Supplies$281$1,128$281
Transportation$263$1,050$263
Loan Fees$9$37$9
Other$403$1,610$403
TOTAL$7,870$31,481$7,870
Graduate
Resident On/Off Campus
 Summer IIFall and SpringSummer I
Tuition$2,386$9,544$2,386
Standard Fees$129$924$129
Housing and Food$3,121$12,482$3,121
Books/Supplies$169$676$169
Transportation$594$2,376$594
Loan Fees$54$216$54
Other$512$2,046$512
TOTAL$6,965$28,264$6,965
Undergraduate
Resident On/Off Campus
 Summer IIFall and SpringSummer I
Tuition and Fees$3,508$14,470$3,508
Housing and Food$2,873$11,490$2,873
Books/Supplies$281$1,128$281
Transportation$258$1,030$258
Loan Fees$9$37$9
Other$390$1,564$390
TOTAL$7,319$29,719$7,319
Graduate
Resident On/Off Campus
 Summer IIFall and SpringSummer I
Tuition and Fees$2,319$10,022$2,319
Housing and Food$2,873$11,490$2,873
Books/Supplies$169$676$169
Transportation$583$2,330$583
Loan Fees$54$216$54
Other$496$1,986$496
TOTAL$6,494$26,720$6,494

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.

Undergraduate
Non-Resident On/Off Campus
 Summer IIFall and SpringSummer I
Tuition$4,711$18,842$4,711
Standard Fees$25$100$25
Housing and Food$3,121$12,482$3,121
Books/Supplies$281$1,128$281
Transportation$295$1,186$295
Loan Fees$9$37$9
Other$498$1,990$498
TOTAL$8,940$35,765$8,940
Graduate
Non-Resident On/Off Campus
 Summer IIFall and SpringSummer I
Tuition$3,579$14,316$3,579
Standard Fees$129$924$129
Housing and Food$3,121$12,482$3,121
Books/Supplies$169$676$169
Transportation$454$1,814$454
Loan Fees$54$216$54
Other$512$2,046$512
TOTAL$8,018$32,474$8,018
Undergraduate
Non-Resident On/Off Campus
 Summer IIFall and SpringSummer I
Tuition and Fees$4,373$18,062$4,373
Housing and Food$2,873$11,490$2,873
Books/Supplies$281$1,128$281
Transportation $290$1,164$290
Loan Fees$9$37$9
Other$483$1,932$483
TOTAL$8,309$33,813$8,309
Graduate
Non-Resident On/Off Campus
 Summer IIFall and SpringSummer I
Tuition and Fees$3,414$14,570$3,414
Housing and Food$2,873$11,490$2,873
Books/Supplies$169$676$169
Transportation$445$1,778$445
Loan Fees$54$216$54
Other$496$1,986$496
TOTAL$7,451$30,716$7,451

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.

Undergraduate students with a total of 56 or more credit hours will be assessed for their tuition costs at the upper-level tuition rate. This higher tuition rate takes effect at the time of the change in classification from lower-level to upper-level student status—which may occur after the start of the semester or session. Again, the difference in tuition cost will be applied to the cost of the student's class schedule in progress at the time of the classification change.

Calculating Total Semester or Summer Session Costs: Western Michigan University takes pride in providing transparent information about your educational investment. Total costs vary among students due to variability in the cost of instruction across programs. To calculate the total cost that applies to your situation, add the relevant tuition and fees specific to your program. Tuition + Relevant Differential Tuition + Fees = Total Instructional Cost for Semester or Summer Session.

Western Michigan University has developed a simplified, students-first undergraduate tuition structure to make college costs easier to understand and anticipate while prioritizing retention and graduation by incentivizing full course loads of 15 credit hours.

Learn more

Fall 2024, spring 2025 tuition

Earned credits at 51¸£ÀûÉçResidentNon-Resident
55 or fewer1–11 semester credits:
$630.25 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$7,563.00 flat rate
(+ $630.25 per credit hour over 15)		1–11 semester credits:
$787.81 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$9,453.75 flat rate
(+ $787.81 per credit hour over 15)
56 or more1–11 semester credits:
$691.50 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$8,298.00 flat rate
(+ $691.50 per credit hour over 15)		1–11 semester credits:
$864.38 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$10,372.50 flat rate
(+ $864.38 per credit hour over 15)

Summer I/II 2024 tuition

Earned credits at 51¸£ÀûÉçResidentNon-Resident
55 or fewer$603.92 per credit hour$754.90 per credit hour
56 or more$662.58 per credit hour$828.23 per credit hour

Differential tuition

CollegeRate
Haworth College of Business
(applies after 55 earned credit hours)		1–11 semester credits:
$60.97 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$793.00 flat rate
(+ $60.97 per credit hour over 15)
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences1–11 semester credits:
$56.44 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$734.00 flat rate
(+ $56.44 per credit hour over 15)
College of Fine Arts1–11 semester credits:
$76.21 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$991.00 flat rate
(+ $76.21 per credit hour over 15)

Please note: Flat rate tuition rates are not applicable for Summer I/II sessions.

Fall 2024, Spring 2025 fees

AssessmentSustainabilityTotal
$55.00$8.00$63.00 per semester

Summer I/II 2024 fees

AssessmentSustainabilityTotal
$21.00$4.00$25.00 per session

The fees above are assessed to all undergraduate students except those enrolled exclusively in fully online programs. 

Sustainability fee: These funds are used to enrich course offerings, create student green jobs, support a Sustainability Office, support student-driven initiatives and provide research grants, fellowships, scholarships and awards for students. A student-majority committee works with the President's Universitywide Sustainability Office and the Vice President of Student Affairs to determine the appropriate allocation process.

Student assessment fee: Student organizations and agencies use student assessment fees to enhance the out-of-classroom experience on campus, including Bronco Bash, Homecoming and student-only entertainment at Miller Auditorium and other on-campus venues, to name a few. Support for campus media, including the Western Herald student newspaper and the student-run campus radio station, WIDR, also provides valuable access to communication and information.

Class-related fees: Additional fees may be incurred for classes that utilize supplementary instructional resources such as laboratories, field trips or industry specialists.

Graduation audit fee: Graduation audits ensure students meet all University obligations and academic requirements to receive their degrees and progress into the next stage of their lives as a Bronco alumnus. 

Late add fee: A $100 fee will be assessed for each class added after the add/drop period if the student is not currently enrolled in courses at 51¸£ÀûÉç.

International student fees

Students will be assessed a $750 fee per semester (fall/spring) and a $375 fee per session (summer I/II).

International student fees - International location

Students will be assessed a $150 fee per semester (fall/spring) and a $75 fee per session (summer I/II).

International student fees: The Haenicke Institute for Global Education—HIGE—provides a comprehensive set of services to all international students through the most appropriate delivery modes to ensure efficiency, safety and student success. These include admission processes and selection, immigration support and advising, credential and credit evaluation and transfer, all HIGE student advising, student insurance assistance, orientation and several student activities.

Calculating Total Semester or Summer Session Costs: Western Michigan University takes pride in providing transparent information about your educational investment. Total costs vary among students due to variability in the cost of instruction across programs. To calculate the total cost that applies to your situation, add the relevant tuition and fees specific to your program. Tuition + Relevant Differential Tuition + Fees = Total Instructional Cost for Semester or Summer Session.

Fall 2024, spring 2025 and summer I/II 2024 tuition

Rate
$630.25 per credit hour

Differential tuition

CollegeRate
Haworth College of Business
(applies after 55 earned credit hours)		$60.97 per credit hour
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences$56.44 per credit hour
College of Fine Arts$76.21 per credit hour

Fees

Class-related fees: Additional fees may be incurred for classes that utilize supplementary instructional resources such as laboratories, field trips or industry specialists.

Graduation audit fee: Graduation audits ensure students meet all University obligations and academic requirements to receive their degrees and progress into the next stage of their lives as a Bronco alumnus. 

Late add fee: A $100 fee will be assessed for each class added after the add/drop period if the student is not currently enrolled in courses at 51¸£ÀûÉç.

Graduate tuition is based on residency status and the student’s program location (main campus, regional or online). Tuition is assessed at the same per-credit hour rate for all semesters and all summer sessions, regardless of course delivery method (in-person, hybrid or online). 

Calculating Total Semester or Summer Session Costs: Western Michigan University takes pride in providing transparent information about your educational investment. Total costs vary among students due to variability in the cost of instruction across programs. To calculate the total cost that applies to your situation, add the relevant tuition and fees specific to your program. Tuition + Fees = Total Instructional Cost for Semester or Summer Session.

Fall 2024, spring 2025 and summer I/II 2024 tuition

ResidentNon-ResidentOnline
$798.10 per credit hour$1,197.15 per credit hour$798.10 per credit hour

Fall 2024, spring 2025 fees

Semester creditsEnrollmentAssessmentSustainabilityTotal
1–4$208.50$55.00$8.00$271.50 per semester
5+$411.50$55.00$8.00$474.50 per semester

Summer I/II 2024 fees

Session creditsEnrollmentAssessmentSustainabilityTotal
1–3$104.35$21.00$4.00$129.35 per session
4+$206.25$21.00$4.00$231.25 per session

The fees above are assessed to students enrolled in any main campus program.

Enrollment fee: Enrollment fees fund campus centers such as Sindecuse Health Center to keep our campus community well and safe and the Recreation Center for programs to stay active and healthy. Technology is supported to provide a 21st-century educational experience for students, and infrastructure and maintenance investments are made to keep our campus at top performance and attractive. Transportation around campus, to the aviation campus and community routes are prepaid through Bronco Transit and Metro Transit to get students to their destinations quickly and reliably.

Sustainability fee: These funds are used to enrich course offerings, create student green jobs, support a Sustainability Office, support student-driven initiatives and provide research grants, fellowships, scholarships and awards for students. A student-majority committee works with the President's Universitywide Sustainability Office and the Vice President of Student Affairs to determine the appropriate allocation process.

Student assessment fee: Student organizations and agencies use student assessment fees to enhance the out-of-classroom experience on campus, including Bronco Bash, Homecoming and student-only entertainment at Miller Auditorium and other on-campus venues, to name a few. Support for campus media, including the Western Herald student newspaper and the student-run campus radio station, WIDR, also provides valuable access to communication and information.

Class-related fees: Additional fees may be incurred for classes that utilize supplementary instructional resources such as laboratories, field trips or industry specialists.

Graduation audit fee: Graduation audits ensure students meet all University obligations and academic requirements to receive their degrees and progress into the next stage of their lives as a Bronco alumnus.

Late add fee: A $100 fee will be assessed for each class added after the add/drop period if the student is not currently enrolled in courses at 51¸£ÀûÉç.

International student fees

Graduate students as of Summer I 2021 or earlier: Students will be assessed a $25 fee for each fall and spring semester.

New graduate students as of Summer II 2021 and after: Students will be assessed a $750 fee per semester (fall/spring) and a $375 fee per session (summer I/II).

International student fees - International location

Students will be assessed a $150 fee per semester (fall/spring) and a $75 fee per session (summer I/II).

International student fees: The Haenicke Institute for Global Education—HIGE—provides a comprehensive set of services to all international students through the most appropriate delivery modes to ensure efficiency, safety and student success. These include admission processes and selection, immigration support and advising, credential and credit evaluation and transfer, all HIGE student advising, student insurance assistance, orientation and several student activities.

Western will apply the in-state tuition rate to all individuals who are eligible for VA educational benefits. Additionally, in-state tuition is granted to dependents of those individuals who have honorably served or are serving. 

Learn more about the VA educational benefit

Fall 2024, spring 2025 tuition

Earned credits at 51¸£ÀûÉçResident (military members and dependents qualify for in-state tuition rate)
55 or fewer1–11 semester credits:
$630.25 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$7,563.00 flat rate
(+ $630.25 per credit hour over 15)
56 or more1–11 semester credits:
$691.50 per credit hour

12–15 semester credits:
$8,298.00 flat rate
(+ $691.50 per credit hour over 15)
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.
—Aunner Calderón, B.S.'22, first-generation student and Foundation Scholar

Affordability:

We place a high priority on making a 51¸£ÀûÉç education an affordable one. Learn about our scholarships and other funding resources. If you have any questions, reach out to one of our financial aid advisors or visit our Registrar's Office in person or online.
Learn about 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.

Review tuition and fees

Payments:

After applying for financial aid, many students want to know where their money is. The answer depends a lot on you. Financial aid is scheduled to pay toward your account about 10 days before the semester begins. Your aid will be disbursed only if you have completed all of your requirements.
Find out how to make a payment