IU Southeast vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, 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 IU Southeast based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Southeast is located in New Albany, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Indiana University Southeast is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Southeast 13:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

IU Southeast vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Southeast 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 University Southeast than WKU ($9,102 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Southeast are 5.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,940 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 38.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Southeast (about $3,228 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at WKU than at Indiana University Southeast (about $4,189 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Indiana University Southeast (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 48.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University Southeast students ($10,921 vs. $7,347).

IU Southeast vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Southeast 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 IU Southeast.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Southeast (1080) is 130 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming IU Southeast students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Southeast 970/1180; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Southeast 20/25; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Southeast - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IU Southeast (3.31).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than IU Southeast (84.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39.7% at IU Southeast vs. 30.2% at WKU.

IU Southeast vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Southeast 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 University Southeast's (27%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Southeast earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Southeast graduates have a $3,989 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,261 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, IU Southeast graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($209 vs. $250).
• More IU Southeast 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.