SCSU vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT 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 SCSU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 9,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

SCSU vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU 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 SCSU ($12,548 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 15.8% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($12,582 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $1,786 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at SCSU than at Western Kentucky University (about $378 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Southern Connecticut State University (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 9.5% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($10,921 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU 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 SCSU.

• 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: SCSU - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at SCSU (3.2).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than SCSU (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

SCSU vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU 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 Southern Connecticut State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($240 vs. $250).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 47%)

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.