WKU vs. Kettering College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Kettering College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Kettering College is in Kettering, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kettering College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Kettering College 9:1.

WKU vs. Kettering College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Kettering College? 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 Kettering College ($12,548 vs. $22,036).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kettering College are 3.5% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,140 vs. $12,582).
• Kettering College is 40.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $4,668 more per year; $16,320.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.4% higher at WKU than at Kettering College (about $10,680 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $16,320.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kettering College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Kettering College students ($10,921 vs. $10,789).

WKU vs. Kettering College Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Kettering College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at WKU).
• 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; Kettering College 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Kettering College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Kettering College (3.41).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Kettering College (76.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 71% at Kettering College.

WKU vs. Kettering College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Kettering College? 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).

• Graduates from Kettering College earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $4,727 lower median loan debt than Kettering College graduates ($24,250 vs. $28,977).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kettering College graduates ($250 vs. $299).
• More Kettering College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.