WKU vs. University of Rio Grande

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

WKU University of Rio Grande
Location Bowling Green, KY Rio Grande, OH
Setting Small City Distant Rural
Enrollment 16,759 2,168
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu rio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU University of Rio Grande
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $19,600
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $19,600
Room & Board $12,043 $10,500
Avg Net Price $12,054 $26,581
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $7,003
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 72%

Admission

WKU University of Rio Grande
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 -
Admitted 7,492 -
Acceptance Rate 97% Open
Enrolled % 37.7% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.06
Typical High School Grades B+ 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 University of Rio Grande
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Engineering Technology (12%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

WKU University of Rio Grande
Graduation Rate 50% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $33,900
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 35%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $211

Diversity

WKU University of Rio Grande
% Men 4% 3%
% Women 9% 4%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 81%
% Black 10% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

WKU University of Rio Grande
% In-State 70% 82%
% Out-of-State 29% 9%

Campus

WKU University of Rio Grande
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than University of Rio Grande based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 2,168 students)

WKU vs. University of Rio Grande Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or University of Rio Grande?

  • University of Rio Grande is 71.4% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($19,600.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.8% higher at WKU than University of Rio Grande ($27,000.00 vs. $19,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than University of Rio Grande ($12,054 vs. $26,581)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rio Grande are 14.7% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($10,500 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than University of Rio Grande (99% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 55.7% larger than aid received University of Rio Grande ($10,906 vs. $7,003)

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

  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Rio Grande (3.06)

WKU vs. University of Rio Grande Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or University of Rio Grande? 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 University of Rio Grande and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than University of Rio Grande (50% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn on average $3,200 more per year than University of Rio Grande graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $33,900)
  • University of Rio Grande students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,250)
  • University of Rio Grande graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($211 vs. $250)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Rio Grande students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 35%)

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