The output data of Michigan's Performance Tracker for Public Universities released by Business Leaders, Wednesday, revealed that Western Michgan University (WSU) has conferred 35 percent more degrees compared to its peers in 2010.

Michigan's Performance Tracker for Public Universities was created in association with Anderson Economic Group and the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.

The tracker was created to find out the money spent by Michigan's 15 public universities and its investment returns.

"We want to shine a light on how our state's public universities are performing," Doug Rothwell, president and chief executive officer, Business Leaders, told Michigan Live."In addition to helping families, taxpayers and policymakers, the Performance Tracker will demonstrate strengths that should be further developed and areas for improvement."

The data from government's Integrated Post-Secondary Data System was used to retrieve the statistics.

Around 70 similar institutions were used in the tracker - Rutgers University in New Jersey, Indiana University-Purdue, Bowling Green University in Kentucky and Texas Tech.

Western Michigan University

U.S.Peers (average)

Total Full Time Equivalent Enrollment

20,526

1 5,454

Student to Instructional Staff Ratio

19

16

Graduation Rate

52 percent

51 percent

Retention Rate

76 percent

78 percent

Total Degrees Awarded

5 ,264

3 ,883

"The governor gave us a 2 percent increase for next year," Michael Boulus, executive director of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan told the newspaper. "It's something to build on, but it's so little to build on."

Last year, the higher education institutions witnessed a 15 percent funding cut, which was the largest in the state's history.

Boulus said that to increase access to higher education, the state has to make a long-term commitment.

"Michigan will struggle to compete if it cannot find the qualified workers it needs. Our universities are major producers of talent and can help propel Michigan forward," said Rothwell.

The Business Leaders of Michigan has requested for a $100 million investment on higher education over the next 10 years.