WKU vs. GSU- Grambling

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than GSU- Grambling based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 5,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Grambling State University is in Grambling, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grambling State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Grambling State University 25:1.

WKU vs. GSU- Grambling Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or GSU- Grambling? 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 GSU- Grambling ($12,548 vs. $17,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grambling State University are 12.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,990 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 51.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU- Grambling (about $3,969 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,683.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.6% higher at WKU than at Grambling State University (about $10,294 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $16,706.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Grambling State University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Grambling State University students ($10,921 vs. $8,870).

WKU vs. GSU- Grambling Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or GSU- Grambling? 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 GSU- Grambling and WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grambling State University (1000) is 50 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at GSU- Grambling).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Grambling State University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Grambling State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; GSU- Grambling - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at GSU- Grambling (3.01).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than GSU- Grambling (44.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 18% at GSU- Grambling.

WKU vs. GSU- Grambling Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and GSU- Grambling? 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 Grambling State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than GSU- Grambling graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $32,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $13,747 lower median loan debt than GSU- Grambling graduates ($24,250 vs. $37,997).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU- Grambling graduates ($250 vs. $392).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU- Grambling students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 23%)

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.