KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Over the past 20 years, room and board at Western Michigan University (WMU) has roughly doubled, with the Board of Trustees approving another rate increase during a meeting Thursday.
In addition to new rates for the Golden Oaks Residence Hall, which will be the first new housing in the Valley since the 1960s when it opens next year, a 3.5% increase across all housing and dining was recommended for the 2026-27 academic year– with one notable expectation being a 5.5% decrease to single traditional Valley and Henry Residence Halls.
“Because Golden Oaks is a new build, we need to establish rates now so students can begin planning where they might want to live next fall,” Dr. Diane Anderson, vice president of student affairs at WMU, said during Thursday’s meeting.
- Previous coverage: WMU board approves housing, dining rate increases for 2026-2027 academic year
According to a breakdown from WMU, an incoming freshman with the least expensive meal plan living in Western Heights would pay $13,756, marking a $465 increase from last year…