WKU vs. Ohio State University-Marion Campus

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Ohio State University-Marion Campus based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 849 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WKU vs. Ohio State University-Marion Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Ohio State University-Marion Campus? 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 Ohio State University-Marion Campus ($12,548 vs. $13,191).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio State University Marion Campus are 18.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,232 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 22.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State University-Marion Campus (about $2,164 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $9,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at Ohio State University-Marion Campus than at Western Kentucky University (about $9,266 more per year; $36,266.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Ohio State University Marion Campus (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 76.5% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Marion Campus students ($10,921 vs. $6,187).

WKU vs. Ohio State University-Marion Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Ohio State University-Marion Campus? 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 Ohio State University-Marion Campus and WKU.

• Ohio State University Marion Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Ohio State University-Marion Campus - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Ohio State University-Marion Campus Jul 14, 2027.

WKU vs. Ohio State University-Marion Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Ohio State University-Marion Campus? 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 State University Marion Campus's (37%).
• Graduates from Ohio State University Marion Campus earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio State University Marion Campus graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State University-Marion Campus graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($222 vs. $250).
• More Ohio State University-Marion Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.