WKU vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Minnesota State University Mankato in Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Minnesota State University-Mankato based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 15,271 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Minnesota State University Mankato is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1.

WKU vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato ($12,548 vs. $18,861).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Mankato are 1.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,420 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 21.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota State University-Mankato (about $2,080 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $9,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.5% higher at WKU than at Minnesota State University Mankato (about $8,058 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $18,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Minnesota State University Mankato (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 105.1% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students ($10,921 vs. $5,325).

WKU vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato and WKU.

• Incoming Minnesota State University-Mankato 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; Minnesota State University Mankato 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Minnesota State University-Mankato (3.37).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Minnesota State University-Mankato (88.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

WKU vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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).

• The graduation rate at WKU is the same as at Minnesota State University Mankato (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Mankato graduates have a $1,675 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,575 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($233 vs. $250).
• More Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.