WKU vs. Johnson University

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

WKU Johnson University
Location Bowling Green, KY Knoxville, TN
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 16,759 950
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu johnsonu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU Johnson University
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $18,428
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $18,428
Room & Board $12,043 $9,278
Avg Net Price $12,054 $20,713
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $9,797
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

WKU Johnson University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 610
Admitted 7,492 328
Acceptance Rate 97% 53.8%
Enrolled % 37.7% 55.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 19/24
SAT Range 820/1010 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

WKU Johnson University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (86%)
  • Education (14%)

Outcomes

WKU Johnson University
Graduation Rate 50% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $31,100
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $21,380
Median Loan Payment $250 $221

Diversity

WKU Johnson University
% Men 4% 13%
% Women 9% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 87%
% Black 10% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

WKU Johnson University
% In-State 70% 59%
% Out-of-State 29% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Johnson University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 950 students)

WKU vs. Johnson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Johnson University?

  • Johnson University is 61.1% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($18,428.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.5% higher at WKU than Johnson University ($27,000.00 vs. $18,428.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Johnson University ($12,054 vs. $20,713)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson University are 29.8% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($9,278 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Johnson University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 11.3% larger than aid received Johnson University ($10,906 vs. $9,797)

WKU vs. Johnson University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 12 points higher than at Johnson University (1035)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Johnson University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Johnson University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Johnson University (53.8%)

WKU vs. Johnson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or Johnson 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 Johnson University and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at Johnson University is higher than Western Kentucky University (54% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn on average $6,000 more per year than Johnson University graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $31,100)
  • Johnson University students graduate with a $2,870 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($21,380 vs. $24,250)
  • Johnson University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($221 vs. $250)
  • More Johnson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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