WKU vs. Baptist College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Baptist Health Sciences University in Memphis, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Baptist College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Baptist Health Sciences University is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Baptist Health Sciences University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Baptist Health Sciences University 6:1.

WKU vs. Baptist College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Baptist College of Health Sciences? 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 Baptist Health Sciences University than WKU ($11,348 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baptist Health Sciences University are 67.4% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($4,100 vs. $12,582).
• Baptist Health Sciences University is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $2,144 more per year; $13,796.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.7% higher at WKU than at Baptist Health Sciences University (about $13,204 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $13,796.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Baptist Health Sciences University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Baptist Health Sciences University students is 0.7% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($10,993 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Baptist College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Baptist College of Health Sciences? 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 Baptist College of Health Sciences and WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Baptist Health Sciences University (1040) is 90 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Baptist College of Health Sciences students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Baptist Health Sciences University 990/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Baptist Health Sciences University 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Baptist College of Health Sciences - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Baptist College of Health Sciences Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Baptist College of Health Sciences (3.21).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Baptist College of Health Sciences (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 34.9% at Baptist College of Health Sciences.

WKU vs. Baptist College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Baptist College of Health Sciences? 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).

• Baptist Health Sciences University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Baptist Health Sciences University earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $8,006 lower median loan debt than Baptist College of Health Sciences graduates ($24,250 vs. $32,256).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Baptist College of Health Sciences graduates ($250 vs. $333).
• More Baptist College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.