WKU vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

WKU vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UTC? 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 UTC ($12,548 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 0.2% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,582 vs. $12,604).
• Western Kentucky University is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $1,204 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at WKU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $8,488 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.8% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($10,921 vs. $10,038).

WKU vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 160 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming UTC 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; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

WKU vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $3,458 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,792 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($214 vs. $250).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.