WKU vs. Livingstone College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Livingstone College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Livingstone College 14:1.

WKU vs. Livingstone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Livingstone 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 Livingstone College ($12,548 vs. $12,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 46% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($6,794 vs. $12,582).
• Livingstone College is 57% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $6,644 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.6% higher at WKU than at Livingstone College (about $8,704 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University as at Livingstone College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 41.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($15,485 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Livingstone College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Kentucky University (950) is 70 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Livingstone College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Livingstone College 800/960.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Livingstone College 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Livingstone College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 8.6% at Livingstone College.

WKU vs. Livingstone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Livingstone 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).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $17,750 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($24,250 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $184 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($250 vs. $434).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 13%)

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.