WKU vs. Austin Peay State University

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

WKU Austin Peay State University
Location Bowling Green, KY Clarksville, TN
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 16,759 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #968 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $12,552
Room & Board $12,043 $13,070
Avg Net Price $12,054 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

WKU Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 5,559
Admitted 7,492 5,334
Acceptance Rate 97% 96%
Enrolled % 37.7% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/20 18/23
SAT Range 820/1010 943/1165
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Aug 4, 2026

Academics

WKU Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

WKU Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 50% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $232

Diversity

WKU Austin Peay State University
% Men 4% 4%
% Women 9% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 63%
% Black 10% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

WKU Austin Peay State University
% In-State 70% 87%
% Out-of-State 29% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Austin Peay State University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 9,945 students)

WKU vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Austin Peay State University?

  • Western Kentucky University is 63.2% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($11,436.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 115.1% higher at WKU than Austin Peay State University ($27,000.00 vs. $12,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Austin Peay State University ($12,054 vs. $14,679)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 8.5% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($12,043 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Austin Peay State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 3.1% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($11,247 vs. $10,906)

WKU vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 36 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (1011)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Austin Peay State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Austin Peay State University (96%)

WKU vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or Austin Peay State University? 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 Austin Peay State University and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Austin Peay State University (50% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Austin Peay State University earn on average $300 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $37,100)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,250)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($232 vs. $250)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

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