WKU vs. ODU

Should I go to Western Kentucky University or Ohio Dominican University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WKU or ODU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Eastern Murray State University Kentucky Louisville UTC NKU University of Southern Indiana Middle Tennessee State University Austin Peay State University KSU University of Missouri-St Louis ETSU
Western Kentucky University vs. Ohio Dominican University comparison
Western Kentucky University Ohio Dominican University College 3 College 4
Western Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 WKU ODU
Location Bowling Green, KY Columbus, OH
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 16,759 1,258
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu ohiodominican.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WKU ODU
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $33,760
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $33,760
Room & Board $12,043 $12,500
Avg Net Price $12,054 $21,006
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $24,672
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 WKU ODU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 1,559
Admitted 7,492 1,329
Acceptance Rate 97% 85.2%
Enrolled % 37.7% 17.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.32
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/20
SAT Range 820/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 WKU ODU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (52%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Social Sciences (3%)

Outcomes

 WKU ODU
Graduation Rate 50% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $44,700
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $29,125
Median Loan Payment $250 $301

Diversity

 WKU ODU
% Men 4% 9%
% Women 9% 19%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 61%
% Black 10% 23%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

 WKU ODU
% In-State 70% 90%
% Out-of-State 29% 6%

Campus

 WKU ODU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than ODU based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 1,258 students)

WKU vs. ODU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or ODU?

  • Ohio Dominican University is 195.2% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($33,760.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25% higher at ODU than Western Kentucky University ($33,760.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than ODU ($12,054 vs. $21,006)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 3.8% lower than costs at Ohio Dominican University ($12,043 vs. $12,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ohio Dominican University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Dominican University students is 126.2% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($24,672 vs. $10,906)

WKU vs. ODU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or ODU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ODU or WKU .

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 38 points higher than at ODU (1009)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at ODU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ODU (3.32)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than ODU (85.2%)

WKU vs. ODU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or ODU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ODU and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Ohio Dominican University (50% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Ohio Dominican University earn on average $7,600 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($44,700 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $4,875 lower median federal student loan debt than ODU graduates. ($24,250 vs. $29,125)
  • WKU graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than ODU graduates. ($250 vs. $301)
  • More ODU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/