WKU vs. UMES

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than UMES based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,177 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Maryland Eastern Shore is in Princess Anne, MD (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11:1.

WKU vs. UMES Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UMES? 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 UMES ($12,548 vs. $13,311).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Eastern Shore are 9.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,351 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 28.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMES (about $2,576 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $9,076.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.2% higher at WKU than at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (about $6,878 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $20,122.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Eastern Shore students is 16.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,728 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. UMES Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Kentucky University (950) is 20 points higher than at UMES (930).
• Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at UMES).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; University of Maryland Eastern Shore 840/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; University of Maryland Eastern Shore 16/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UMES - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; UMES Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UMES (3.07).
• UMES has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 8.6% at UMES.

WKU vs. UMES Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and UMES? 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 University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (31%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than UMES graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMES graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMES students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 23%)

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.