La Sierra University vs. KWC

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1.

La Sierra University vs. KWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or KWC? 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 Wesleyan College than La Sierra University ($20,999 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 11.7% lower than at La Sierra University ($11,855 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than KWC (about $3,037 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $34,673.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at La Sierra University than at Kentucky Wesleyan College (about $3,037 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $34,673.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 8.3% larger than aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students ($27,646 vs. $25,538).

La Sierra University vs. KWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or KWC? 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 KWC and La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at La Sierra University (1010) is the same as at KWC (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Sierra University 880/1140; Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Sierra University 18/28; Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; KWC - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at KWC (3.3).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 17.7% at KWC.

La Sierra University vs. KWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University and KWC? 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $7,093 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($22,907 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($236 vs. $310).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 52%)

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.