Kalamazoo Times

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—At its June 27 meeting, the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees set tuition, required fees, and room and board rates for the 2024-25 academic year. The 4.5% increase in tuition and required fees approved by trustees is accompanied by a $2.5 million, or 7%, increase in financial aid.

The price adjustment for the coming school year, along with the multimillion-dollar investment in student aid, aligns with Western’s commitment to both student access and providing a high-quality learning environment, officials said.

Trustees also voted to approve the University’s $414.5 million general operating budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year beginning July 1. Tuition, accounting for about 68% of the total budgeted revenue, is the major revenue source for WMU’s general fund.

"In our budget development and tuition pricing, we balance the crucial need to offer a high-quality education with accessibility for our students and their families," Board Chair Shelly Edgerton says.

"To achieve this balance, we set our rates around the median of Michigan public universities. Our tuition allows us to provide the resources needed to offer top-tier, experience-driven learning with excellent career outcomes,” Edgerton says.

The chair noted that 94% of WMU graduates are employed quickly, working in their field in jobs they like, according to the University’s most recent post-graduation activity report.

“Student success is at the core of everything we do, so we are continually enhancing our efforts to provide transformative opportunities for our Broncos in the classroom and in settings where students can apply their knowledge,” WMU President Edward Montgomery says.

The tuition and required fees set represent a $658 increase over last year’s pricing for a full-time, newly admitted Michigan resident freshman, bringing the annual cost to $15,252 for the 2024-25 academic year.

This puts WMU resident undergraduate tuition at eighth among the 15 public universities in Michigan based on currently available information. The increase of 4.5% is also the median increase among the 14 public universities that have set 2024-25 rates.

WMU’s fee increase includes an increase in the Student Assessment Fee, which supports student organizations and agencies. Following a student body vote conducted by the Western Student Association, there was strong interest in increasing the fee due to significant growth in student organizations and a long period—almost 10 years—without any fee adjustments.

The fee will rise by $26 per academic year for all undergraduate students except those enrolled exclusively in fully online programs. Graduate students enrolled in Main Campus programs are also subject to the Student Assessment Fee.

Housing fees

This coming academic year’s room and board as well as apartment rates were also set by trustees at Thursday’s meeting. Effective this fall, room and board at Western’s residence halls will rise by 5%. The rates at Stadium Drive Apartments and Spindler Hall will increase by 3%, and rates at Western View and Arcadia Flats will rise by 4%.

The 2024-25 tuition and required fees are available at wmich.edu/registrar/tuition. Learn more about housing.

For more WMU news, arts and events visit WMU News online.

###