Dean Paula M. Termuhlen, MD, FACS | Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Dean Paula M. Termuhlen, MD, FACS | Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Of the seven institutions in the county, two provided detailed enrollment data at the time, including Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College.
At least 24,203 people applied to Kalamazoo County colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 24,745 students enrolled in the universities, including 21,334 in undergraduate and 3,411 in graduate programs. In total 5.9% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (67.5%) and Black or African American (8.9%) students.
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, Western Michigan University stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 17,000 students.
U.S. college enrollment has been in a downward trend since peaking at around 18.1 million students in 2010. Recent increases offered some relief, but experts project a steeper decline in 2025.
This decline is likely due to two main factors. First, the pool of young adults is shrinking as birth rates have fallen nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. Second, the rising cost of higher education, including skyrocketing student loan debt. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report shows that more than half of Americans think a four-year degree is not worth the cost.
NCES shows that enrollment data was not available for two institutions in Kalamazoo County, including Davenport University-Kalamazoo Location and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.
Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals which do not equal 100%.
| Institution | # of Applicants | # of Admitted Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Michigan College of Barbering and Beauty | -- | -- | 83 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | -- | -- | 6,358 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Portage | -- | -- | 94 |
| Davenport University-Kalamazoo Location | -- | -- | -- |
| Western Michigan University | 20,501 | 17,426 | 17,000 |
| Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine | -- | -- | -- |
| Kalamazoo College | 3,702 | 2,925 | 1,210 |
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