WKU vs. Morgan State

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Morgan State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 10,739 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Morgan State University is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Morgan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Morgan State University 18:1.

WKU vs. Morgan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Morgan State? 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 Morgan State ($12,548 vs. $15,476).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 5.5% lower than at Morgan State University ($12,582 vs. $13,320).
• Western Kentucky University is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Morgan State (about $3,423 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,229.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.2% higher at WKU than at Morgan State University (about $7,876 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $19,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Morgan State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Morgan State University students ($10,921 vs. $10,827).

WKU vs. Morgan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Morgan State? 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 Morgan State and WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Morgan State University (960) is 10 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming WKU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 18) as students at Morgan State (18).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Morgan State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Morgan State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Morgan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Morgan State Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Morgan State (3.1).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Morgan State (82.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 12.4% at Morgan State.

WKU vs. Morgan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Morgan State? 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 Morgan State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Morgan State University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Morgan State graduates ($24,250 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Morgan State graduates ($250 vs. $320).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Morgan State students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 22%)

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.