WKU vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

WKU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or ETSU? 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 ETSU ($12,548 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 16.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,554 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $1,180 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.9% higher at WKU than at East Tennessee State University (about $12,478 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at East Tennessee State University (99% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.1% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($10,921 vs. $10,101).

WKU vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 140 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

WKU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($211 vs. $250).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.