WKU vs. Texas Southmost College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Texas Southmost College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 8,828 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Texas Southmost College is in Brownsville, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southmost College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Texas Southmost College 23:1.

WKU vs. Texas Southmost College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Texas Southmost 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 Texas Southmost College than WKU ($2,905 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.7% lower than at Texas Southmost College ($12,582 vs. $12,801).
• Western Kentucky University is 210.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas Southmost College (about $7,904 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $3,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 445.7% higher at WKU than at Texas Southmost College (about $22,052 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $4,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Texas Southmost College (99% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Texas Southmost College students ($10,921 vs. $8,129).

WKU vs. Texas Southmost College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Texas Southmost 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 Texas Southmost College and WKU.

• Texas Southmost 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; Texas Southmost College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Texas Southmost College Aug 1, 2027.

WKU vs. Texas Southmost College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Texas Southmost 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).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Texas Southmost College's (17%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Texas Southmost College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Southmost College graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Texas Southmost College graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($155 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas Southmost College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 38%)

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.