WKU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with University of Missouri St Louis in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than University of Missouri-St Louis based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 14,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Missouri St Louis is in Saint Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri St Louis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Missouri St Louis 13:1.

WKU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 University of Missouri-St Louis ($12,548 vs. $14,008).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 6.8% lower than at University of Missouri St Louis ($12,582 vs. $13,502).
• University of Missouri St Louis is 21.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $2,460 more per year; $14,112.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at University of Missouri-St Louis than at Western Kentucky University (about $8,112 more per year; $35,112.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri St Louis than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri St Louis students is 56.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($17,096 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 University of Missouri-St Louis and WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri St Louis (1180) is 230 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming University of Missouri-St Louis 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; University of Missouri St Louis 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; University of Missouri St Louis 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; University of Missouri-St Louis - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Missouri-St Louis students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than University of Missouri-St Louis (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 12.6% at University of Missouri-St Louis.

WKU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri St Louis's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri St Louis earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri St Louis graduates have a $3,263 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,987 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-St Louis graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($217 vs. $250).
• More University of Missouri-St Louis 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.