WKU vs. Bluffton University

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

WKU Bluffton University
Location Bowling Green, KY Bluffton, OH
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 16,759 678
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - Mennonite Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu bluffton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU Bluffton University
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $35,498
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $35,498
Room & Board $12,043 $11,866
Avg Net Price $12,054 $21,299
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $29,291
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WKU Bluffton University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 2,873
Admitted 7,492 1,757
Acceptance Rate 97% 61.2%
Enrolled % 37.7% 10.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 17/23
SAT Range 820/1010 920/1130
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

Academics

WKU Bluffton University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

WKU Bluffton University
Graduation Rate 50% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $279

Diversity

WKU Bluffton University
% Men 4% 4%
% Women 9% 7%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 85%
% Black 10% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

WKU Bluffton University
% In-State 70% 79%
% Out-of-State 29% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 678 students)

WKU vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Bluffton University?

  • Bluffton University is 210.4% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.5% higher at Bluffton University than Western Kentucky University ($35,498.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Bluffton University ($12,054 vs. $21,299)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 1.5% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($11,866 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 168.6% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($29,291 vs. $10,906)

WKU vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 75 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Bluffton University (21)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)

WKU vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or Bluffton 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 Bluffton University and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Western Kentucky University (59% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $3,500 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $27,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($250 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 47%)

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