Arkansas State University vs. WKU

Should I go to Arkansas State University Main Campus or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas State University or WKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Arkansas State University Main Campus vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
Arkansas State University Main Campus Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Arkansas State University Main Campus Western Kentucky University
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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
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
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

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/