WKU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

WKU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Coastal Carolina? 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 Western Kentucky University than Coastal Carolina ($12,548 vs. $14,379).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 3.5% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,146 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $12 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Western Kentucky University (about $2,628 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Coastal Carolina University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.3% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($10,921 vs. $10,087).

WKU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 190 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

WKU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Coastal Carolina? 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).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $680 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($250 vs. $257).
• More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.