WKU vs. UWO

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than UWO based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 12,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is in Oshkosh, WI (Small City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 22:1.

WKU vs. UWO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UWO? 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 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh than WKU ($12,500 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are 25.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,410 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 36.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWO (about $3,120 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.2% higher at WKU than at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (about $10,554 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $16,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 65.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students ($10,921 vs. $6,605).

WKU vs. UWO Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UWO students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at WKU).
• 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; University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UWO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UWO (3.24).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UWO (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 21.4% at UWO.

WKU vs. UWO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and UWO? 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).

• The graduation rate at WKU is the same as at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates have a $502 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,748 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UWO graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($245 vs. $250).
• More UWO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.