Indiana State vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN 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 Indiana State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 7,895 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, IN (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Indiana 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: Indiana State University 16:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Indiana State vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Indiana State 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 Indiana State University than WKU ($12,066 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana State University are 2.5% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,262 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Indiana State (about $1,394 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $10,258.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at WKU than at Indiana State University (about $4,678 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $22,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Indiana State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana State University students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,383 vs. $10,921).

Indiana State vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Indiana State 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 Indiana State.

• 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: Indiana State - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Indiana State (3.29).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Indiana State (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at Indiana State vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Indiana State vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Indiana State 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 Indiana State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Indiana State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana State University graduates have a $530 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,720 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Indiana State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($245 vs. $250).
• More Indiana State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.