FSW vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL 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 FSW based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 14,301 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Florida SouthWestern State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

FSW vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW 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 Florida SouthWestern State College than WKU ($8,356 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida SouthWestern State College are 11.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,185 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 242.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $8,251 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108% higher at WKU than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $14,021 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Florida SouthWestern State College (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 83.9% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($10,921 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW 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 FSW.

• Florida SouthWestern State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: FSW - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at FSW (3.06).

FSW vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW 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).

• Graduates from Florida SouthWestern State College earn a median of about $300 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $15,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($9,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $157 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($93 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FSW students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

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.