CCSJ vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Calumet College of Saint Joseph in Whiting, IN 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 CCSJ based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 658 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Calumet College of Saint Joseph is located in Whiting, IN (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Calumet College of Saint Joseph is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Calumet College of Saint Joseph 11:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

CCSJ vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSJ 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 CCSJ ($12,548 vs. $16,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calumet College of Saint Joseph are 23.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,600 vs. $12,582).
• Calumet College of Saint Joseph is 104.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $12,198 more per year; $23,850.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at WKU than at Calumet College of Saint Joseph (about $3,150 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $23,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Calumet College of Saint Joseph (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Calumet College of Saint Joseph students is 48.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($16,181 vs. $10,921).

CCSJ vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCSJ 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 CCSJ.

• 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: CCSJ - Not reported; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at CCSJ (2.75).

CCSJ vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCSJ 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 Calumet College of Saint Joseph's (28%).
• Graduates from Calumet College of Saint Joseph 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, Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CCSJ graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($204 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSJ students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 36%)

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.