IPFW vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, 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 IPFW based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 7,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

IPFW vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW 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 IPFW ($12,548 vs. $14,735).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 7.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,669 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 22.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $2,120 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at WKU than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $4,113 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 53.1% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($10,921 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW 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 IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Fort Wayne (1100) is 150 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming IPFW students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than IPFW (83.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 30.2% at WKU.

IPFW vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than IPFW graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IPFW graduates ($250 vs. $253).
• More IPFW 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.