GS vs. WKU

Should I go to Georgia Southern University or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GS or WKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Georgia Southern University vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
Georgia Southern University Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Georgia Southern University Western Kentucky University
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Overview

GS WKU
Location Statesboro, GA Bowling Green, KY
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 25,481 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #939 #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website georgiasouthern.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GS WKU
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $27,000
Room & Board $10,316 $11,072
Avg Net Price $15,352 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $8,806 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 99%

Admission

GS WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,680 7,505
Admitted 13,049 7,276
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 96.9%
Enrolled % 33.4% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 18/25
SAT Range 980/1150 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

GS WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

GS WKU
Graduation Rate 47% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $237 $250

Diversity

GS WKU
% Men 40% 37%
% Women 60% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 76%
% Black 26% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

GS WKU
% In-State 93% 70%
% Out-of-State 6% 29%

Campus

GS WKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Georgia Southern University is larger than than WKU based on total student enrollment (25,481 students vs. 16,493 students)

GS vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GS or WKU?

  • Western Kentucky University is 154.2% more expensive to attend than GS for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 75% higher at WKU than Georgia Southern University ($27,000.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than GS ($12,625 vs. $15,352)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southern University are 7.3% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($10,316 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Georgia Southern University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 16.5% larger than aid received Georgia Southern University ($10,260 vs. $8,806)

GS vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GS or WKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WKU or GS .

  • The average SAT score at Georgia Southern University (1089) is 42 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming GS students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at WKU (23)
  • 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 (96.9%) than GS (88.9%)

GS vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GS or WKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WKU and GS.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Georgia Southern University (50% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Georgia Southern University earn on average $7,700 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $37,100)
  • Georgia Southern University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($23,000 vs. $24,250)
  • GS graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans 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/