Lewis University vs. WKU

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

Lewis University WKU
Location Romeoville, IL Bowling Green, KY
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 6,513 16,493
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #345 #875
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lewisu.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lewis University WKU
Tuition (In State) $36,320 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $36,320 $27,000
Room & Board $11,956 $11,072
Avg Net Price $19,184 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $26,423 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Lewis University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,746 7,505
Admitted 3,515 7,276
Acceptance Rate 74.1% 96.9%
Enrolled % 17.2% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/29 18/25
SAT Range 1010/1200 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

Lewis University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (9%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Lewis University WKU
Graduation Rate 63% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,500 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,625 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $254 $250

Diversity

Lewis University WKU
% Men 50% 37%
% Women 50% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 76%
% Black 6% 10%
% Hispanic 19% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 6%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Lewis University WKU
% In-State 83% 70%
% Out-of-State 13% 29%

Campus

Lewis University WKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Lewis University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 6,513 students)

Lewis University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lewis University or WKU?

  • Lewis University is 226.9% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($36,320.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.5% higher at Lewis University than Western Kentucky University ($36,320.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Lewis University ($12,625 vs. $19,184)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 8% lower than costs at Lewis University ($11,072 vs. $11,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lewis University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis University students is 157.5% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($26,423 vs. $10,260)

Lewis University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lewis University (1051) is 4 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming Lewis University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Lewis University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Lewis University (74.1%)

Lewis University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lewis University 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 Lewis University.

  • The graduation rate at Lewis University is higher than Western Kentucky University (63% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Lewis University earn on average $14,400 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($51,500 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $375 lower median federal student loan debt than Lewis University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $24,625)
  • WKU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Lewis University graduates. ($250 vs. $254)
  • More Lewis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 47%)

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