Saint Johns River State College vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Johns River State College in Palatka, FL 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 Saint Johns River State College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 7,927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Johns River State College is located in Palatka, FL (Distant Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Saint Johns River State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Johns River State College 19:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Saint Johns River State College vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Johns River State 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 Saint Johns River State College than WKU ($6,712 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 0.2% lower than at Saint Johns River State College ($12,582 vs. $12,604).
• Western Kentucky University is 349.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Johns River State College (about $9,061 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $2,591.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 189.2% higher at WKU than at Saint Johns River State College (about $17,665 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $9,335.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Saint Johns River State College (99% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 47.9% larger than aid received by Saint Johns River State College students ($10,921 vs. $7,384).

Saint Johns River State College vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Johns River State 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 Saint Johns River State College.

• Saint Johns River State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: Saint Johns River State College - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Johns River State College Oct 10, 2026; WKU Aug 1, 2027.

Saint Johns River State College vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Johns River State 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).

• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Saint Johns River State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Johns River State College graduates have a $12,599 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($11,651 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Saint Johns River State College graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($120 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Johns River State College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 32%)

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.