WKU vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

WKU vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or CSU Channel Islands? 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 California State University Channel Islands than WKU ($10,632 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 18.8% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($12,582 vs. $15,490).
• Western Kentucky University is 62.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $4,493 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.6% higher at WKU than at California State University Channel Islands (about $7,241 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at California State University Channel Islands (99% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,528 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands 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; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

WKU vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and CSU Channel Islands? 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).

• California State University Channel Islands's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $9,067 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($15,183 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($156 vs. $250).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.