WKU vs. Shawnee State University

Should I go to Western Kentucky University or Shawnee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WKU or Shawnee State University 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.

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Western Kentucky University vs. Shawnee State University comparison
Western Kentucky University Shawnee State University College 3 College 4
Western Kentucky University
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Overview

WKU Shawnee State University
Location Bowling Green, KY Portsmouth, OH
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 16,759 3,206
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu shawnee.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU Shawnee State University
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $9,622
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $16,157
Room & Board $12,043 $12,570
Avg Net Price $12,054 $14,815
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $7,173
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 82%

Admission

WKU Shawnee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 -
Admitted 7,492 -
Acceptance Rate 97% Open
Enrolled % 37.7% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.3
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)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

WKU Shawnee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

WKU Shawnee State University
Graduation Rate 50% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $36,300
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $23,712
Median Loan Payment $250 $245

Diversity

WKU Shawnee State University
% Men 4% 3%
% Women 9% 4%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 86%
% Black 10% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

WKU Shawnee State University
% In-State 70% 83%
% Out-of-State 29% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Shawnee State University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 3,206 students)

WKU vs. Shawnee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Shawnee State University?

  • Western Kentucky University is 18.9% more expensive to attend than Shawnee State University for in-state tuition ($11,436.00 vs. $9,622.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.1% higher at WKU than Shawnee State University ($27,000.00 vs. $16,157.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Shawnee State University ($12,054 vs. $14,815)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 4.4% lower than costs at Shawnee State University ($12,043 vs. $12,570)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Shawnee State University (99% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 52% larger than aid received Shawnee State University ($10,906 vs. $7,173)

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

  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Shawnee State University (3.3)

WKU vs. Shawnee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Shawnee State University (50% vs. 22%)
  • Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn on average $800 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $36,300)
  • Shawnee State University students graduate with a $538 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($23,712 vs. $24,250)
  • Shawnee State University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($245 vs. $250)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 36%)

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