WKU vs. Plymouth

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Plymouth based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,707 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Plymouth State University is in Plymouth, NH (Remote Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Plymouth State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Plymouth State University 15:1.

WKU vs. Plymouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Plymouth? 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 Plymouth ($12,548 vs. $20,183).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 4.4% lower than at Plymouth State University ($12,582 vs. $13,158).
• Plymouth State University is 25.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $2,974 more per year; $14,626.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at WKU than at Plymouth State University (about $1,434 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $25,566.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plymouth State University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Plymouth State University students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,039 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Plymouth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Plymouth? 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 Plymouth 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; Plymouth - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Plymouth Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Plymouth (3.08).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Plymouth (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 13.7% at Plymouth.

WKU vs. Plymouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Plymouth? 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).

• Plymouth State University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Plymouth State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 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 Plymouth graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Plymouth graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Plymouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.