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Eastern Murray State University Kentucky Memphis Louisville Oklahoma State University-Main Campus UTC Arkansas NKU University of Southern Indiana UNT Middle Tennessee State University| Arkansas State University Main Campus | Western Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Arkansas State University | WKU | ||
| Location | Jonesboro, AR | Bowling Green, KY | ||
| Setting | Small City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 13,190 | 16,493 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #859 | #875 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | astate.edu | wku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Arkansas State University | WKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,888 | $11,112 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,744 | $27,000 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,100 | $11,072 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,011 | $12,625 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,225 | $10,260 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Arkansas State University | WKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,045 | 7,505 | ||
| Admitted | 4,202 | 7,276 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 69.5% | 96.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31.5% | 37.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.66 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 18/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 980/1200 | 980/1170 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Arkansas State University | WKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Arkansas State University | WKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 38% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $36,000 | $37,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 51% | 47% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $19,500 | $24,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $201 | $250 |
Diversity |
Arkansas State University | WKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 35% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 65% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 74% | 76% | ||
| % Black | 14% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 6% | 6% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Arkansas State University | WKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 81% | 70% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 12% | 29% | ||
Campus |
Arkansas State University | WKU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Western Kentucky University is larger than than Arkansas State University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 13,190 students)
Arkansas State University vs. WKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or WKU?
- Western Kentucky University is 61.3% more expensive to attend than Arkansas State University for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $6,888.00)
- Out of state tuition is 111.9% higher at WKU than Arkansas State University Main Campus ($27,000.00 vs. $12,744.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than WKU ($12,011 vs. $12,625)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University Main Campus are 9.6% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($10,100 vs. $11,072)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 9.4% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($11,225 vs. $10,260)
Arkansas State University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or WKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WKU or Arkansas State University .
- The average SAT score at Arkansas State University Main Campus (1088) is 41 points higher than at WKU (1047)
- Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WKU (23)
- Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WKU (3.42)
- WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Arkansas State University (69.5%)
Arkansas State University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Arkansas State University or WKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WKU and Arkansas State University.
- The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (50% vs. 38%)
- Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn on average $1,100 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $36,000)
- Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,750 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,250)
- Arkansas State University graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($201 vs. $250)
- More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 47%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/