WKU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

WKU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern ($12,548 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 34% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,300 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $728 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.2% higher at WKU than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $16,076 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University as at The University of Tennessee Southern (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 5.4% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($10,921 vs. $10,358).

WKU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and WKU.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 60 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern 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; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

WKU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern's (49%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $1,935 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,315 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($230 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

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.