WKU vs. Franklin University

Should I go to Western Kentucky University or Franklin University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WKU or Franklin University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Western Kentucky University vs. Franklin University comparison
Western Kentucky University Franklin University College 3 College 4
Western Kentucky University
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Overview

 WKU Franklin University
Location Bowling Green, KY Columbus, OH
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 16,759 8,697
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu franklin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WKU Franklin University
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $9,552
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $9,552
Room & Board $12,043 $16,380
Avg Net Price $12,054 $22,252
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $6,477
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 91%

Admission

 WKU Franklin University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 -
Admitted 7,492 -
Acceptance Rate 97% Open
Enrolled % 37.7% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/20
SAT Range 820/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 WKU Franklin University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (82%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (2%)
  • Psychology (1%)

Outcomes

 WKU Franklin University
Graduation Rate 50% 19%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $52,100
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $258

Diversity

 WKU Franklin University
% Men 4% 12%
% Women 9% 21%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 68%
% Black 10% 19%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 WKU Franklin University
% In-State 70% 87%
% Out-of-State 29% 13%

Campus

 WKU Franklin University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Franklin University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 8,697 students)

WKU vs. Franklin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Franklin University?

  • Western Kentucky University is 19.7% more expensive to attend than Franklin University for in-state tuition ($11,436.00 vs. $9,552.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 182.7% higher at WKU than Franklin University ($27,000.00 vs. $9,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Franklin University ($12,054 vs. $22,252)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 36% lower than costs at Franklin University ($12,043 vs. $16,380)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Franklin University (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 68.4% larger than aid received Franklin University ($10,906 vs. $6,477)

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Franklin University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Franklin University or WKU .

WKU vs. Franklin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or Franklin University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Franklin University and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Franklin University (50% vs. 19%)
  • Graduates from Franklin University earn on average $15,000 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($52,100 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Franklin University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $25,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Franklin University graduates. ($250 vs. $258)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Franklin University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/