WKU vs. FWBBC

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than FWBBC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 389 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Welch College is in Gallatin, TN (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Welch College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Welch College 8:1.

WKU vs. FWBBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or FWBBC? 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 FWBBC ($12,548 vs. $21,157).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Welch College are 31.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,668 vs. $12,582).
• Welch College is 83.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $9,748 more per year; $21,400.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at WKU than at Welch College (about $5,600 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $21,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Welch College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Welch College students is 41.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($15,462 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. FWBBC Admissions comparison

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

• Welch College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; FWBBC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at FWBBC (3.34).

WKU vs. FWBBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and FWBBC? 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 Welch College's (42%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than FWBBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $31,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Welch College graduates have a $1,980 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,270 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, FWBBC graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($230 vs. $250).
• More FWBBC 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.