Western Michigan University Acceptance Rate
Kalamazoo, Michigan · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 20,100
- Admitted
- 17,020
- Yield
- 14.5%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Western Michigan University's acceptance rate has risen from 84.1% in 2014–15 to 84.7% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 14,008 to 20,100 (+43%) over that period.
Its 84.7% rate makes Western Michigan University more selective than about 32% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 40 tracked Michigan schools, it is more selective than about 25%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (86.2% for women vs 82.8% for men, a 3.4-point gap). Western Michigan University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 14.5% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 14,008 | 11,775 | 84.1% | 3,012 |
| 2015–16 | 15,175 | 12,501 | 82.4% | 2,988 |
| 2016–17 | 13,613 | 11,205 | 82.3% | 2,930 |
| 2017–18 | 14,263 | 11,741 | 82.3% | 3,178 |
| 2018–19 | 17,051 | 13,829 | 81.1% | 3,023 |
| 2019–20 | 17,698 | 14,133 | 79.9% | 2,919 |
| 2020–21 | 16,582 | 14,085 | 84.9% | 2,613 |
| 2021–22 | 18,853 | 15,612 | 82.8% | 2,112 |
| 2022–23 | 20,501 | 17,334 | 84.6% | 2,621 |
| 2023–24 | 20,100 | 17,020 | 84.7% | 2,472 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 11,174 | 9,629 | 86.2% |
| Men | 8,926 | 7,391 | 82.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 500–620 | 58% |
| SAT Math | 490–600 | |
| ACT Composite | 20–27 | 6% |
How Western Michigan University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Western Michigan University's acceptance rate?
Western Michigan University's acceptance rate is 84.7% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (17,020 admitted of 20,100 applicants).
Is Western Michigan University test optional?
Western Michigan University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Western Michigan University?
Western Michigan University received 20,100 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 17,020.
What SAT score do you need for Western Michigan University?
Admitted students at Western Michigan University typically scored 500–620 on SAT Reading/Writing and 490–600 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Western Michigan University getting harder to get into?
Western Michigan University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 84.1% in 2014–15 to 84.7% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://wmich.edu/.