Morehead State University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Morehead State University in Morehead, KY 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 Morehead State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 8,791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Morehead State University is located in Morehead, KY (Remote Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Morehead State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Morehead State University 16:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Morehead State University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Morehead State 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 Morehead State University than WKU ($9,630 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Morehead State University are 12.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,994 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Morehead State University (about $1,628 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $10,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.2% higher at WKU than at Morehead State University (about $12,020 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $14,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Morehead State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Morehead State University students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,976 vs. $10,921).

Morehead State University vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Morehead State 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 Morehead State 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: Morehead State University - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• 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 (93.9%) than Morehead State University (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Morehead State University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Morehead State University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Morehead State 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).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Morehead State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Morehead State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $34,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Morehead State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.