SCF vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota in Bradenton, 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 SCF based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 8,750 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota is located in Bradenton, FL (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota 23:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

SCF vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCF 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 SCF ($12,548 vs. $22,034).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 52.9% lower than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota ($12,582 vs. $26,718).
• Western Kentucky University is 279.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCF (about $8,578 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $3,074.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.9% higher at WKU than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota (about $15,405 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $11,595.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota (99% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 63.8% larger than aid received by State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota students ($10,921 vs. $6,668).

SCF vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCF 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 SCF.

• State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota 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: SCF - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at SCF (3.1).

SCF vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCF 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 $3,400 more per year than SCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota graduates have a $15,640 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($8,610 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, SCF graduates have an estimated $161 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($89 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCF students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 35%)

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.