GS vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgia Southern University is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (27,423 students vs. 16,291 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Southern University is located in Statesboro, GA (Remote Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Georgia Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Southern University 25:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

GS vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GS 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 GS ($12,548 vs. $15,971).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southern University are 8.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,492 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 93.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GS (about $5,630 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $6,022.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at WKU than at Georgia Southern University (about $9,266 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $17,734.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Georgia Southern University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Georgia Southern University students ($10,921 vs. $8,994).

GS vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GS 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 GS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Southern University (1060) is 110 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming GS students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southern University 986/1133; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southern University 18/23; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GS - Required; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GS May 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at GS (3.36).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than GS (87.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at GS vs. 30.2% at WKU.

GS vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GS 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 Georgia Southern University's (47%).
• Graduates from Georgia Southern University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southern University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, GS graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($237 vs. $250).
• More GS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.