Manchester University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Manchester University in North Manchester, 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 Manchester University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Manchester University is located in North Manchester, IN (Distant Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Manchester University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Manchester University 12:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Manchester University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Manchester University 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 Western Kentucky University than Manchester University ($12,548 vs. $19,425).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 0.3% lower than at Manchester University ($12,582 vs. $12,625).
• Manchester University is 218.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $25,483 more per year; $37,135.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at Manchester University than at Western Kentucky University (about $10,135 more per year; $37,135.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Manchester University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Manchester University students is 180.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($30,635 vs. $10,921).

Manchester University vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Manchester University 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 Manchester University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Manchester University - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Manchester University (3.41).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Manchester University (71.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Manchester University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Manchester University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Manchester University 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).

• Manchester University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Manchester University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Manchester University graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Manchester University graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Manchester University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.