KY State vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia State University is larger than KY State based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky State University 10:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

KY State vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State or WVSU? 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 Kentucky State University than WVSU ($9,397 vs. $11,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 35.8% lower than at West Virginia State University ($8,686 vs. $13,522).
• West Virginia State University is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $183 more per year; $9,570.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at WVSU than at Kentucky State University (about $1,332 more per year; $14,990.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky State University than at West Virginia State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky State University students is 15% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($10,340 vs. $8,993).

KY State vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State or WVSU? 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 WVSU and KY State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kentucky State University (920) is 20 points higher than at WVSU (900).
• Incoming KY State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at WVSU (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; West Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; WVSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVSU students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than WVSU (96%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

KY State vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State and WVSU? 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).

• West Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (25%) is higher than Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from West Virginia State University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,700 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($23,250 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($240 vs. $299).
• More WVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 24%)

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.