WKU vs. University of Northwestern Ohio

Deciding between Western Kentucky University and University of Northwestern Ohio? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Western Kentucky University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Lima, OH
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 2,525
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • WKU #970
  • University of Northwestern Ohio
  • Religious Affiliation
  • WKU -
  • University of Northwestern Ohio -
  • Status
  • WKU Non-profit
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • WKU
  • University of Northwestern Ohio

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • WKU $11,652
  • University of Northwestern Ohio $13,875
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • WKU $27,000
  • University of Northwestern Ohio $13,875
  • Room & Board
  • WKU $12,582
  • University of Northwestern Ohio $8,601
  • Average Net Price
  • WKU $12,548
  • University of Northwestern Ohio $21,853
  • Average Grant Aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • University of Northwestern Ohio $5,327
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • WKU 99%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 78%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • University of Northwestern Ohio -
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • University of Northwestern Ohio -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Open
  • Enrolled
  • WKU 30.2%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • University of Northwestern Ohio
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • University of Northwestern Ohio
  • Average High School GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 2.86
  • Typical High School Grades
  • WKU B+
  • University of Northwestern Ohio B
  • Admissions Standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • WKU
  • University of Northwestern Ohio
  • ACT Range
  • WKU 16/21
  • University of Northwestern Ohio
  • SAT Range
  • WKU 840/1050
  • University of Northwestern Ohio
  • Submit Test Scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • University of Northwestern Ohio

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 24:1
  • Popular Majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • University of Northwestern Ohio
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies (70%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Transportation and Materials Moving (4%)
    • Health Professions (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • WKU 50%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • University of Northwestern Ohio $40,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • WKU 47%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 52%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • University of Northwestern Ohio $21,398
  • Median Loan Payment
  • WKU $250
  • University of Northwestern Ohio $221

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • WKU 38%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 82%
  • % Women
  • WKU 62%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 18%
  • Racial Diversity
  • WKU Low
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Very Low
  • HBCU
  • WKU No
  • University of Northwestern Ohio No
  • % White
  • WKU 76%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 67%
  • % Asian
  • WKU 1%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 0%
  • % Black
  • WKU 10%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • WKU 3%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 3%
  • % Native American
  • WKU 0%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • WKU 0%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • WKU 3%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 0%
  • % International
  • WKU 6%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • WKU 1%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 23%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • WKU 66%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 31%
  • % Out-of-State
  • WKU 33%
  • University of Northwestern Ohio 64%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • WKU Yes
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • WKU No
  • University of Northwestern Ohio No
  • Meal Plan
  • WKU Yes
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • WKU No
  • University of Northwestern Ohio Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • WKU Yes
  • University of Northwestern Ohio No

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than University of Northwestern Ohio based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Northwestern Ohio is in Lima, OH (Small City setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern Ohio is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Northwestern Ohio 24:1.

WKU vs. University of Northwestern Ohio Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or University of Northwestern Ohio? 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 Northwestern Ohio ($12,548 vs. $21,853).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern Ohio are 31.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,601 vs. $12,582).
  • University of Northwestern Ohio is 19.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $2,223 more per year; $13,875.00 vs. $11,652.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 94.6% higher at WKU than at University of Northwestern Ohio (about $13,125 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $13,875.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Northwestern Ohio (99% vs. 78%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 105% larger than aid received by University of Northwestern Ohio students ($10,921 vs. $5,327).

WKU vs. University of Northwestern Ohio Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or University of Northwestern Ohio? 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 Northwestern Ohio and WKU.

  • University of Northwestern Ohio 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; University of Northwestern Ohio - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Northwestern Ohio (2.86).

WKU vs. University of Northwestern Ohio Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and University of Northwestern Ohio? 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 Northwestern Ohio's (46%).
  • Graduates from University of Northwestern Ohio earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern Ohio graduates have a $2,852 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,398 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northwestern Ohio graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($221 vs. $250).
  • More University of Northwestern Ohio graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.