Oakwood University vs. WKU

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

Oakwood University WKU
Location Huntsville, AL Bowling Green, KY
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 1,319 16,759
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation Seventh Day Adventists - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website oakwood.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Oakwood University WKU
Tuition (In State) $20,722 $11,436
Tuition (Out of State) $20,722 $27,000
Room & Board $9,384 $12,043
Avg Net Price $22,833 $12,054
Avg Grant Aid $15,780 $10,906
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 99%

Admission

Oakwood University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,370 7,720
Admitted 1,197 7,492
Acceptance Rate 50.5% 97%
Enrolled % 24.2% 37.7%
Avg High School GPA 2.99 3.42
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20
SAT Range 820/1010
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Oakwood University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Biology (21%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Oakwood University WKU
Graduation Rate 35% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 27% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $320 $250

Diversity

Oakwood University WKU
% Men 1% 4%
% Women 2% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 76%
% Black 84% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 7% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Oakwood University WKU
% In-State 14% 70%
% Out-of-State 64% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Oakwood University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 1,319 students)

Oakwood University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakwood University or WKU?

  • Oakwood University is 81.2% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($20,722.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.3% higher at WKU than Oakwood University ($27,000.00 vs. $20,722.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Oakwood University ($12,054 vs. $22,833)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakwood University are 28.3% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($9,384 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Oakwood University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oakwood University students is 44.7% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($15,780 vs. $10,906)

Oakwood University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 124 points higher than at Oakwood University (923)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Oakwood University (20)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Oakwood University (2.99)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Oakwood University (50.5%)

Oakwood University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Oakwood 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 Oakwood University.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Oakwood University (50% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Oakwood University earn on average $300 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $6,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Oakwood University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $31,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $70 less per month on federal student loans than Oakwood University graduates. ($250 vs. $320)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakwood University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 27%)

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