WKU vs. UMUC

Should I go to Western Kentucky University or University of Maryland University College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WKU or UMUC 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. University of Maryland University College comparison
Western Kentucky University University of Maryland University College College 3 College 4
Western Kentucky University University of Maryland University College
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Overview

 WKU UMUC
Location Bowling Green, KY Adelphi, MD
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 16,759 60,084
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu umuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WKU UMUC
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $7,632
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $11,976
Room & Board $12,043 $13,324
Avg Net Price $12,054 $14,545
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $5,268
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 46%

Admission

 WKU UMUC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 -
Admitted 7,492 -
Acceptance Rate 97% Open
Enrolled % 37.7% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 -
Typical High School Grades 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 UMUC
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

 WKU UMUC
Graduation Rate 50% 10%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $54,600
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $19,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $196

Diversity

 WKU UMUC
% Men 4% 7%
% Women 9% 8%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 42%
% Black 10% 27%
% Hispanic 3% 12%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 9%

Students

 WKU UMUC
% In-State 70% 32%
% Out-of-State 29% 64%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Maryland University College is larger than than WKU based on total student enrollment (60,084 students vs. 16,759 students)

WKU vs. UMUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UMUC?

  • Western Kentucky University is 49.8% more expensive to attend than UMUC for in-state tuition ($11,436.00 vs. $7,632.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 125.5% higher at WKU than University of Maryland University College ($27,000.00 vs. $11,976.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than UMUC ($12,054 vs. $14,545)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 10.6% lower than costs at University of Maryland University College ($12,043 vs. $13,324)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than University of Maryland University College (99% vs. 46%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 107% larger than aid received University of Maryland University College ($10,906 vs. $5,268)

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

WKU vs. UMUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or UMUC? 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 UMUC and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than University of Maryland University College (50% vs. 10%)
  • Graduates from University of Maryland University College earn on average $17,500 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $37,100)
  • University of Maryland University College students graduate with a $5,250 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($19,000 vs. $24,250)
  • UMUC graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($196 vs. $250)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMUC students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 40%)

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