ESU vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Emporia State University in Emporia, KS 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 ESU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emporia State University is located in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Emporia 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: Emporia State University 16:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

ESU vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU 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 ESU ($12,548 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 13% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,950 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 64% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $4,546 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.1% higher at WKU than at Emporia State University (about $11,581 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Emporia State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 83.5% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($10,921 vs. $5,951).

ESU vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU 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 ESU .

• 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: ESU - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ESU (3.41).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at ESU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

ESU vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ESU 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 Emporia State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Emporia State University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $4,831 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($19,419 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($200 vs. $250).
• More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.