WKU vs. CCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than CCAD based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Columbus College of Art & Design is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbus College of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Columbus College of Art & Design 10:1.

WKU vs. CCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or CCAD? 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 CCAD ($12,548 vs. $31,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus College of Art & Design are 9% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,450 vs. $12,582).
• Columbus College of Art & Design is 250.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $29,173 more per year; $40,825.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.2% higher at CCAD than at Western Kentucky University (about $13,825 more per year; $40,825.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus College of Art & Design than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus College of Art & Design students is 110.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($23,000 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. CCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or CCAD? 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 CCAD 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; CCAD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CCAD (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 32.1% at CCAD.

WKU vs. CCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and CCAD? 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).

• Columbus College of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Columbus College of Art & Design earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than CCAD graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CCAD graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More CCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.