WKU vs. Defiance College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Defiance College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Defiance College is in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Defiance College 11:1.

WKU vs. Defiance College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Defiance College? 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 Defiance College ($12,548 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 0.2% lower than at Defiance College ($12,582 vs. $12,606).
• Defiance College is 151.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $17,668 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Defiance College than at Western Kentucky University (about $2,320 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University as at Defiance College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Defiance College students is 147.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($27,024 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Defiance College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Defiance College (990) is 40 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Defiance College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Defiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Defiance College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Defiance College (3.12).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 21.6% at Defiance College.

WKU vs. Defiance College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Defiance College? 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).

• Defiance College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Defiance College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 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 Defiance College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Defiance College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Defiance College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.