WKU vs. Muskingum

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Muskingum University in New Concord, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Muskingum based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,751 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WKU vs. Muskingum Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Muskingum? 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 Muskingum ($12,548 vs. $19,695).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 3.9% lower than at Muskingum University ($12,582 vs. $13,088).
• Muskingum University is 180.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $21,013 more per year; $32,665.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Muskingum than at Western Kentucky University (about $5,665 more per year; $32,665.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muskingum University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muskingum University students is 128.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($24,955 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Muskingum Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muskingum University (1010) is 60 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Muskingum students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Muskingum University 910/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Muskingum University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Muskingum - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at Muskingum (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Muskingum (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 17.1% at Muskingum.

WKU vs. Muskingum Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Muskingum? 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).

• Muskingum University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Muskingum University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Muskingum graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muskingum graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Muskingum graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.