Alabama State vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,081 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Alabama State vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State or WKU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Alabama State ($12,548 vs. $13,138).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 37.9% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($7,816 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama State (about $404 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $11,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.9% higher at WKU than at Alabama State University (about $7,424 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $19,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Alabama State University (99% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama State University students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,583 vs. $10,921).

Alabama State vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State or WKU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WKU and Alabama State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Kentucky University (950) is 90 points higher than at Alabama State (860).
• Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Alabama State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Alabama State (2.95).
• Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Alabama State vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State and WKU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Alabama State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $7,841 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($24,250 vs. $32,091).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($250 vs. $331).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 20%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.