WKU vs. Freed-Hardeman University

Should I go to Western Kentucky University or Freed Hardeman University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WKU or Freed-Hardeman 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. Freed Hardeman University comparison
Western Kentucky University Freed Hardeman University College 3 College 4
Western Kentucky University
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Overview

WKU Freed-Hardeman University
Location Bowling Green, KY Henderson, TN
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 16,759 2,294
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #968 #816
Religious Affiliation - Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu fhu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU Freed-Hardeman University
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $25,000
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $25,000
Room & Board $12,043 $8,540
Avg Net Price $12,054 $18,267
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $18,798
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WKU Freed-Hardeman University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 1,077
Admitted 7,492 976
Acceptance Rate 97% 90.6%
Enrolled % 37.7% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/20 19/26
SAT Range 820/1010 934/1084
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

WKU Freed-Hardeman University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

WKU Freed-Hardeman University
Graduation Rate 50% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $40,700
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $268

Diversity

WKU Freed-Hardeman University
% Men 4% 6%
% Women 9% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 85%
% Black 10% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

WKU Freed-Hardeman University
% In-State 70% 57%
% Out-of-State 29% 40%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Freed-Hardeman University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 2,294 students)

WKU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Freed-Hardeman University?

  • Freed Hardeman University is 118.6% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($25,000.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8% higher at WKU than Freed Hardeman University ($27,000.00 vs. $25,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Freed-Hardeman University ($12,054 vs. $18,267)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Freed Hardeman University are 41% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($8,540 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Freed Hardeman University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Freed Hardeman University students is 72.4% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($18,798 vs. $10,906)

WKU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Freed Hardeman University (1101) is 54 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming Freed-Hardeman University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Freed-Hardeman University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Freed-Hardeman University (90.6%)

WKU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman University and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is the same as at Freed Hardeman University (50% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Freed Hardeman University earn on average $3,600 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($40,700 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Freed-Hardeman University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $26,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Freed-Hardeman University graduates. ($250 vs. $268)
  • More Freed-Hardeman University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 47%)

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