Indian River State College vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, 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 Indian River State College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 15,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indian River State College is located in Fort Pierce, FL (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Indian River 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: Indian River State College 27:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Indian River State College vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Indian River State College 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 Indian River State College than WKU ($4,427 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indian River State College are 28.4% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,015 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 321.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Indian River State College (about $8,888 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $2,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 164.7% higher at WKU than at Indian River State College (about $16,799 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $10,201.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Indian River State College (99% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 56.7% larger than aid received by Indian River State College students ($10,921 vs. $6,970).

Indian River State College vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Indian River State College 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 Indian River State College.

• Indian River 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: Indian River State College - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Indian River State College Aug 2, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.

Indian River State College vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Indian River State College 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 Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Indian River State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indian River State College graduates have a $17,541 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($6,709 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Indian River State College graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($69 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Indian River State College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 38%)

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.