Marian vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Marian University in Indianapolis, 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 Marian based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,486 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Marian vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian 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 Marian ($12,548 vs. $22,786).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 9.2% lower than at Marian University ($12,582 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 249% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $29,012 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.6% higher at Marian than at Western Kentucky University (about $13,664 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Marian University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 196.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($32,351 vs. $10,921).

Marian vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian 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 Marian.

• 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: Marian - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marian students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WKU (3.42).
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Marian vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Marian vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian 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).

• Marian University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 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 Marian graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.