WKU vs. Appalachian Bible College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Appalachian Bible College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 223 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Appalachian Bible College is in Mount Hope, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian Bible College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Appalachian Bible College 7:1.

WKU vs. Appalachian Bible College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Appalachian Bible College? 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 Appalachian Bible College ($12,548 vs. $13,435).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian Bible College are 25.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,430 vs. $12,582).
• Appalachian Bible College is 61% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $7,108 more per year; $18,760.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.9% higher at WKU than at Appalachian Bible College (about $8,240 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $18,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Appalachian Bible College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian Bible College students is 65.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($18,061 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Appalachian Bible College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Appalachian Bible College? 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 Appalachian Bible College and WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian Bible College (990) is 40 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Appalachian Bible College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Appalachian Bible College 878/1106.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Appalachian Bible College 21/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Appalachian Bible College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Appalachian Bible College (3.32).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Appalachian Bible College (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 79.2% at Appalachian Bible College.

WKU vs. Appalachian Bible College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Appalachian Bible College? 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 Appalachian Bible College's (33%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Appalachian Bible College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian Bible College graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($13,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Appalachian Bible College graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($139 vs. $250).
• More Appalachian Bible College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.