WKU vs. Mississippi Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Mississippi Valley State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Mississippi Valley State University is in Itta Bena, MS (Remote Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Mississippi Valley State University 13:1.

WKU vs. Mississippi Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Mississippi Valley State University? 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 Mississippi Valley State University than WKU ($10,232 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi Valley State University are 28.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,956 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 51.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi Valley State University (about $3,960 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,692.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 251% higher at WKU than at Mississippi Valley State University (about $19,308 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $7,692.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($10,933 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Mississippi Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Mississippi Valley State University? 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 Mississippi Valley State University and WKU.

• Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Mississippi Valley State University).
• 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; Mississippi Valley State University 13/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Mississippi Valley State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Mississippi Valley State University (92.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 32.3% at Mississippi Valley State University.

WKU vs. Mississippi Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Mississippi Valley State University? 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 Mississippi Valley State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $26,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $5,086 lower median loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $29,336).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($250 vs. $303).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 35%)

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.