WKU vs. Ole Miss

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mississippi is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (26,449 students vs. 16,291 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Mississippi is in University, MS (Remote Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Mississippi 18:1.

WKU vs. Ole Miss Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Ole Miss? 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 Ole Miss ($12,548 vs. $15,045).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 0.1% lower than at University of Mississippi ($12,582 vs. $12,600).
• Western Kentucky University is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ole Miss (about $1,880 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $9,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Ole Miss than at Western Kentucky University (about $1,600 more per year; $28,600.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Mississippi (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mississippi students is 14% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,455 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Ole Miss Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mississippi (1100) is 150 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Ole Miss students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; University of Mississippi 1000/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; University of Mississippi 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Ole Miss - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ole Miss students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WKU (3.42).
• Ole Miss has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 18.5% at Ole Miss.

WKU vs. Ole Miss Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Ole Miss? 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).

• University of Mississippi's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Mississippi earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,700 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mississippi graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Ole Miss graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($206 vs. $250).
• More Ole Miss graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.