University of Pikeville vs. WKU

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

University of Pikeville WKU
Location Pikeville, KY Bowling Green, KY
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 2,434 16,493
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #875
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website upike.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Pikeville WKU
Tuition (In State) $23,000 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $23,000 $27,000
Room & Board $8,350 $11,072
Avg Net Price $17,098 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $17,431 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

University of Pikeville WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 7,505
Admitted - 7,276
Acceptance Rate Open 96.9%
Enrolled % Open 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

University of Pikeville WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

University of Pikeville WKU
Graduation Rate 26% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,900 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $253 $250

Diversity

University of Pikeville WKU
% Men 44% 37%
% Women 56% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 76%
% Black 12% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

University of Pikeville WKU
% In-State 73% 70%
% Out-of-State 24% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than University of Pikeville based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 2,434 students)

University of Pikeville vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Pikeville or WKU?

  • University of Pikeville is 107% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($23,000.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.4% higher at WKU than University of Pikeville ($27,000.00 vs. $23,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than University of Pikeville ($12,625 vs. $17,098)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pikeville are 32.6% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($8,350 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Pikeville than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pikeville students is 69.9% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($17,431 vs. $10,260)

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 82 points higher than at University of Pikeville (965)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Pikeville (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of Pikeville students have at the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at WKU (3.42)

University of Pikeville vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Pikeville 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 University of Pikeville.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than University of Pikeville (50% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn on average $1,200 more per year than University of Pikeville graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $35,900)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Pikeville graduates. ($24,250 vs. $24,500)
  • WKU graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than University of Pikeville graduates. ($250 vs. $253)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Pikeville students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 39%)

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