Dominican vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University in River Forest, 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 Dominican based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University 12:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Dominican vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dominican 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 Dominican ($12,548 vs. $13,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.1% lower than at Dominican University ($12,582 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 234.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $27,326 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.4% higher at Dominican than at Western Kentucky University (about $11,978 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 181.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($30,756 vs. $10,921).

Dominican vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dominican 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 Dominican.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University (990) is 40 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Dominican students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 880/1100; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 16/26; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dominican - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Dominican (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Dominican vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Dominican vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dominican 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).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($250 vs. $258).
• More Dominican graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.