CSU vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Chicago 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: Chicago State University 9:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

CSU vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Chicago State University than WKU ($10,441 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 8.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,550 vs. $12,582).
• Chicago State University is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $1,102 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.7% higher at WKU than at Chicago State University (about $14,246 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University as at Western Kentucky University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 66.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($18,194 vs. $10,921).

CSU vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Kentucky University (950) is 90 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at CSU (3.18).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

CSU vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Chicago State University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,250 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($250 vs. $323).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 25%)

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.