Purdue North Central vs. WKU

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

 Purdue North Central WKU
Location Westville, IN Bowling Green, KY
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 6,092 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pnc.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Purdue North Central WKU
Tuition (In State) $6,746 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $16,164 $27,000
Room & Board $7,380 $11,072
Avg Net Price $7,832 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $7,168 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 51% 99%

Admission

 Purdue North Central WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,975 7,505
Admitted 1,485 7,276
Acceptance Rate 49.9% 96.9%
Enrolled % 27.6% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.19 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/23 18/25
SAT Range 950/1130 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Required Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Purdue North Central WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Engineering Technology (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

 Purdue North Central WKU
Graduation Rate 17% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,900 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,836 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $256 $250

Diversity

 Purdue North Central WKU
% Men 0% 37%
% Women 0% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 76%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 9% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 Purdue North Central WKU
% In-State - 70%
% Out-of-State - 29%

Campus

 Purdue North Central WKU
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Purdue North Central based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 6,092 students)

Purdue North Central vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purdue North Central or WKU?

  • Western Kentucky University is 64.7% more expensive to attend than Purdue North Central for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $6,746.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67% higher at WKU than Purdue University North Central Campus ($27,000.00 vs. $16,164.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Purdue University North Central Campus than WKU ($7,832 vs. $12,625)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University North Central Campus are 50% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($7,380 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Purdue University North Central Campus (99% vs. 51%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 43.1% larger than aid received Purdue University North Central Campus ($10,260 vs. $7,168)

Purdue North Central vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 104 points higher than at Purdue North Central (943)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Purdue North Central (20)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Purdue North Central (3.19)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Purdue North Central (49.9%)

Purdue North Central vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Purdue North Central 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 Purdue North Central.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Purdue University North Central Campus (50% vs. 17%)
  • Graduates from Purdue University North Central Campus earn on average $4,800 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($41,900 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $586 lower median federal student loan debt than Purdue North Central graduates. ($24,250 vs. $24,836)
  • WKU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Purdue North Central graduates. ($250 vs. $256)
  • More Purdue North Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 47%)

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