WKU vs. Ranken Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Ranken Technical College in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Ranken Technical College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,784 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Ranken Technical College is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ranken Technical College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Ranken Technical College 11:1.

WKU vs. Ranken Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Ranken Technical College? 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 Ranken Technical College ($12,548 vs. $18,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ranken Technical College are 32% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,550 vs. $12,582).
• Ranken Technical College is 54.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $6,356 more per year; $18,008.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.9% higher at WKU than at Ranken Technical College (about $8,992 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $18,008.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Ranken Technical College (99% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ranken Technical College students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,092 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Ranken Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Ranken Technical College? 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 Ranken Technical College and WKU.

• Ranken Technical College 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; Ranken Technical College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Ranken Technical College Jul 1, 2027.

WKU vs. Ranken Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Ranken Technical College? 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).

• Ranken Technical College's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Ranken Technical College earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ranken Technical College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($13,750 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Ranken Technical College graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($142 vs. $250).
• More Ranken Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.