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 16,493 939
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #875
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) $11,112 $17,384
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $17,384
Room & Board $11,072 $8,664
Avg Net Price $12,625 $21,012
Avg Grant Aid $10,260 $9,423
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 83%

Admission

WKU Johnson University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,505 443
Admitted 7,276 280
Acceptance Rate 96.9% 63.2%
Enrolled % 37.9% 58.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 19/24
SAT Range 980/1170 1000/1175
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

WKU Johnson University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 10:1
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 37% 49%
% Women 63% 51%
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% 55%
% Out-of-State 29% 43%

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 (16,493 students vs. 939 students)

WKU vs. Johnson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Johnson University?

  • Johnson University is 56.4% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($17,384.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 55.3% higher at WKU than Johnson University ($27,000.00 vs. $17,384.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Johnson University ($12,625 vs. $21,012)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson University are 27.8% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($8,664 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Johnson University (99% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.9% larger than aid received Johnson University ($10,260 vs. $9,423)

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 (96.9%) than Johnson University (63.2%)

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/