WKU vs. AAC

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Art Academy of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than AAC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 213 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Art Academy of Cincinnati is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Art Academy of Cincinnati 9:1.

WKU vs. AAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or AAC? 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 AAC ($12,548 vs. $33,491).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Academy of Cincinnati are 15.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,660 vs. $12,582).
• Art Academy of Cincinnati is 255.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $29,723 more per year; $41,375.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.2% higher at AAC than at Western Kentucky University (about $14,375 more per year; $41,375.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Art Academy of Cincinnati than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Academy of Cincinnati students is 78.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($19,460 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. AAC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or AAC? 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 AAC and WKU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; AAC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; AAC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at AAC (3.1).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than AAC (34.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 11.4% at AAC.

WKU vs. AAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and AAC? 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 Art Academy of Cincinnati's (44%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than AAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $30,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than AAC graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More AAC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.