WKU vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

WKU vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Tech ($12,548 vs. $15,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 5.4% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($12,582 vs. $13,302).
• Western Kentucky University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $276 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.3% higher at WKU than at Tennessee Technological University (about $11,424 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Tennessee Technological University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($10,921 vs. $10,458).

WKU vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Tech and WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is 230 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Tennessee Tech students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

WKU vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Tennessee Tech? 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).

• The graduation rate at WKU is the same as at Tennessee Technological University (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($16,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($165 vs. $250).
• More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.