KWC vs. Bluefield State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY with Bluefield State University in Bluefield, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bluefield State University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (1,141 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

KWC vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC or Bluefield State University? 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 Bluefield State University than KWC ($15,814 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield State University are 2.9% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($11,512 vs. $11,855).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 225.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $24,025 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.7% higher at KWC than at Bluefield State University (about $16,297 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $18,376.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Bluefield State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 160.2% larger than aid received by Bluefield State University students ($25,538 vs. $9,814).

KWC vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC or Bluefield State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bluefield State University and KWC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Kentucky Wesleyan College (1010) is 30 points higher than at Bluefield State University (980).
• Incoming KWC students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 19) as students at Bluefield State University (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; Bluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; Bluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Bluefield State University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at KWC (3.3).
• Bluefield State University has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

KWC vs. Bluefield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC and Bluefield State University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Kentucky Wesleyan College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Bluefield State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Bluefield State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $3,907 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($19,000 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($196 vs. $236).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 30%)

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.