WKU vs. BSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Bismarck State College in Bismarck, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than BSC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Bismarck State College is in Bismarck, ND (Small City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bismarck State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Bismarck State College 13:1.

WKU vs. BSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or BSC? 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 Bismarck State College than WKU ($10,462 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 34.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,273 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 122.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSC (about $6,405 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $5,247.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 268.3% higher at WKU than at Bismarck State College (about $19,669 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $7,331.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Bismarck State College (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 116.3% larger than aid received by Bismarck State College students ($10,921 vs. $5,049).

WKU vs. BSC Admissions comparison

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

• Bismarck State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; BSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.

WKU vs. BSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and BSC? 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).

• Graduates from Bismarck State College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bismarck State College graduates have a $13,209 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($11,041 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, BSC graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($114 vs. $250).
• More BSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.