WKU vs. ODU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than ODU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,209 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Ohio Dominican University is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Ohio Dominican University 12:1.

WKU vs. ODU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or ODU? 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 ODU ($12,548 vs. $21,032).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 2.3% lower than at Ohio Dominican University ($12,582 vs. $12,882).
• Ohio Dominican University is 206.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $24,068 more per year; $35,720.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.3% higher at ODU than at Western Kentucky University (about $8,720 more per year; $35,720.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Dominican University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Dominican University students is 145.3% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($26,790 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. ODU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or ODU? 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 ODU and 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.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; ODU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ODU (3.32).
• ODU has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 11.4% at ODU.

WKU vs. ODU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and ODU? 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 Ohio Dominican University's (48%).
• Graduates from Ohio Dominican University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $4,875 lower median loan debt than ODU graduates ($24,250 vs. $29,125).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.