Fort Valley State University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA 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 Fort Valley State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,897 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Valley State University is located in Fort Valley, GA (Rural Fringe setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Fort Valley 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: Fort Valley State University 21:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Fort Valley State University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Valley State University 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 Fort Valley State University than WKU ($10,047 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Valley State University are 11.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,100 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 110.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Valley State University (about $6,126 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $5,526.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.5% higher at WKU than at Fort Valley State University (about $10,068 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $16,932.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Fort Valley State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Fort Valley State University students ($10,921 vs. $10,049).

Fort Valley State University vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Valley State University 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 Fort Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Valley State University (1000) is 50 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Fort Valley State University 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: Fort Valley State University 930/1070; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Valley State University 19/24; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Valley State University - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fort Valley State University Jun 15, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Fort Valley State University (2.87).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Fort Valley State University (65.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at Fort Valley State University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Fort Valley State University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fort Valley State University 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 Fort Valley State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Fort Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $12,250 lower median loan debt than Fort Valley State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $36,500).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fort Valley State University graduates ($250 vs. $377).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 19%)

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.