UALR vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR 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 UALR based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 8,216 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

UALR vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock than WKU ($12,033 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 14.5% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,760 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $1,904 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at WKU than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (about $4,842 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $22,158.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,013 vs. $10,921).

UALR vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR 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 UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 140 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming UALR students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UALR students have the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 30.2% at WKU.

UALR vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas at Little Rock earn a median of about $900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($211 vs. $250).
• More UALR graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.