Paine College vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA 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 Paine College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Paine College vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine College 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 Paine College ($12,548 vs. $15,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 40.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($7,512 vs. $12,582).
• Paine College is 25.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $2,944 more per year; $14,596.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85% higher at WKU than at Paine College (about $12,404 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paine College students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,145 vs. $10,921).

Paine College vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paine College 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 Paine College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Kentucky University (950) is 70 points higher than at Paine College (880).
• Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Paine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Paine College vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine College 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 Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($24,250 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($250 vs. $369).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 15%)

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.