Morehead State University vs. WKU

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

Morehead State University WKU
Location Morehead, KY Bowling Green, KY
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 8,807 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website moreheadstate.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Morehead State University WKU
Tuition (In State) $9,240 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $13,966 $27,000
Room & Board $9,626 $11,072
Avg Net Price $10,991 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $12,140 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Morehead State University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,911 7,505
Admitted 6,643 7,276
Acceptance Rate 84% 96.9%
Enrolled % 18% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 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

Morehead State University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Morehead State University WKU
Graduation Rate 40% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,400 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $258 $250

Diversity

Morehead State University WKU
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 89% 76%
% Black 4% 10%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Morehead State University WKU
% In-State 82% 70%
% Out-of-State 16% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Morehead State University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 8,807 students)

Morehead State University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Morehead State University or WKU?

  • Western Kentucky University is 20.3% more expensive to attend than Morehead State University for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $9,240.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 93.3% higher at WKU than Morehead State University ($27,000.00 vs. $13,966.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Morehead State University than WKU ($10,991 vs. $12,625)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Morehead State University are 15% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($9,626 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Morehead State University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Morehead State University students is 18.3% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($12,140 vs. $10,260)

Morehead State University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Morehead State University (1047) is the same at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming Morehead State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Morehead State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Morehead State University (84%)

Morehead State University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Morehead State 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 Morehead State University.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Morehead State University (50% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn on average $2,700 more per year than Morehead State University graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $34,400)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Morehead State University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $25,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Morehead State University graduates. ($250 vs. $258)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Morehead State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

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