IU South Bend vs. WKU

Should I go to Indiana University South Bend or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IU South Bend 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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Indiana University South Bend vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
Indiana University South Bend Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Indiana University South Bend Western Kentucky University
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Overview

IU South Bend WKU
Location South Bend, IN Bowling Green, KY
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 4,326 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #917 #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iusb.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IU South Bend WKU
Tuition (In State) $7,274 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $20,634 $27,000
Room & Board $9,190 $11,072
Avg Net Price $8,785 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $7,821 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 99%

Admission

IU South Bend WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,348 7,505
Admitted 2,040 7,276
Acceptance Rate 86.9% 96.9%
Enrolled % 37.8% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/22 18/25
SAT Range 970/1190 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

IU South Bend WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

IU South Bend WKU
Graduation Rate 22% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,530 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $253 $250

Diversity

IU South Bend WKU
% Men 33% 37%
% Women 67% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 76%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 9% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

IU South Bend WKU
% In-State 95% 70%
% Out-of-State 4% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than IU South Bend based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 4,326 students)

IU South Bend vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend or WKU?

  • Western Kentucky University is 52.8% more expensive to attend than IU South Bend for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $7,274.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.9% higher at WKU than Indiana University South Bend ($27,000.00 vs. $20,634.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University South Bend than WKU ($8,785 vs. $12,625)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 20.5% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($9,190 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Indiana University South Bend (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 31.2% larger than aid received Indiana University South Bend ($10,260 vs. $7,821)

IU South Bend vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 92 points higher than at IU South Bend (955)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at IU South Bend (21)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IU South Bend (3.24)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than IU South Bend (86.9%)

IU South Bend vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IU South Bend 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 IU South Bend.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Indiana University South Bend (50% vs. 22%)
  • Graduates of Indiana University South Bend and WKU have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($37,100 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $280 lower median federal student loan debt than IU South Bend graduates. ($24,250 vs. $24,530)
  • WKU graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than IU South Bend graduates. ($250 vs. $253)
  • More IU South Bend graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/