Saint Xavier University vs. WKU

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

Saint Xavier University WKU
Location Chicago, IL Bowling Green, KY
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 3,523 16,493
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #735 #875
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sxu.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Saint Xavier University WKU
Tuition (In State) $34,640 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $34,640 $27,000
Room & Board $11,780 $11,072
Avg Net Price $11,302 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $29,886 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Saint Xavier University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,833 7,505
Admitted 6,590 7,276
Acceptance Rate 84.1% 96.9%
Enrolled % 10% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/25
SAT Range 950/1120 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Saint Xavier University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Saint Xavier University WKU
Graduation Rate 52% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $248 $250

Diversity

Saint Xavier University WKU
% Men 35% 37%
% Women 65% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 76%
% Black 14% 10%
% Hispanic 32% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 0% 6%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Saint Xavier University WKU
% In-State 94% 70%
% Out-of-State 5% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Saint Xavier University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 3,523 students)

Saint Xavier University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Xavier University or WKU?

  • Saint Xavier University is 211.7% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($34,640.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.3% higher at Saint Xavier University than Western Kentucky University ($34,640.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Xavier University than WKU ($11,302 vs. $12,625)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 6.4% lower than costs at Saint Xavier University ($11,072 vs. $11,780)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Saint Xavier University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Xavier University students is 191.3% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($29,886 vs. $10,260)

Saint Xavier University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 57 points higher than at Saint Xavier University (990)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Saint Xavier University (21)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Saint Xavier University (3.4)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Saint Xavier University (84.1%)

Saint Xavier University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Saint Xavier 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 Saint Xavier University.

  • The graduation rate at Saint Xavier University is higher than Western Kentucky University (52% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Saint Xavier University earn on average $11,900 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $37,100)
  • Saint Xavier University students graduate with a $228 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($24,022 vs. $24,250)
  • Saint Xavier University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($248 vs. $250)
  • More Saint Xavier University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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