CSUDH vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA 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 CSUDH based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 15,182 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, CA (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• California State University Dominguez Hills is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Dominguez Hills 21:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

CSUDH vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUDH 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 California State University Dominguez Hills than WKU ($9,175 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 31.8% lower than at California State University Dominguez Hills ($12,582 vs. $18,444).
• Western Kentucky University is 56.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUDH (about $4,203 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,449.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.7% higher at WKU than at California State University Dominguez Hills (about $6,951 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $20,049.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at California State University Dominguez Hills (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Dominguez Hills students is 27.7% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($13,951 vs. $10,921).

CSUDH vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUDH 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 CSUDH.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSUDH - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUDH Dec 4, 2026; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at CSUDH (3.16).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CSUDH (93.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at CSUDH vs. 30.2% at WKU.

CSUDH vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUDH 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 California State University Dominguez Hills's (24%).
• Graduates from California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Dominguez Hills graduates have a $10,288 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($13,962 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CSUDH graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($144 vs. $250).
• More CSUDH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 47%)

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.