Other institutions with the same designation include the University of Alabama, Boston College, the University of Notre Dame, Texas Technological University, and the College of William and Mary. With 27,000 students, WMU ranks sixtieth in the nation in total enrollment, having more students than the Universities of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Oregon, and Virginia, and a similar number of students as the Universities of Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, and North Carolina. One-fourth of WMU's students are pursuing graduate degrees either on or off campus. The University assists off-campus students by operating six regional centers, which encompass Michigan's second largest extension program. Academic Environment WMU's six degree-granting colleges offer more than 220 programs, including more than 70 at the graduate level.
Equal emphasis is placed on excellence in graduate and undergraduate education.
This commitment means that the University's 780 distinguished faculty members are dedicated to professional research. Despite the growth in campus buildings and academic programs, WMU has successfully retained the friendliness, openness, and personalized attention that is associated with much smaller institutions. In addition, the University provides an atmosphere of cultural richness. Its strong commitment to diversity and equal opportunity helps attract students of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities from across the United States and some eighty other nations. At the same time, its acclaimed arts programs and Division I-caliber sports teams add variety and vitality to the campus.