WKU vs. Urbana University

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

WKU Urbana University
Location Bowling Green, KY Urbana, OH
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 16,759 587
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu urbana.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU Urbana University
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $23,700
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $23,700
Room & Board $12,043 $9,998
Avg Net Price $12,054 -
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 0%

Admission

WKU Urbana University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 -
Admitted 7,492 -
Acceptance Rate 97% Open
Enrolled % 37.7% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.14
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 Urbana University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

WKU Urbana University
Graduation Rate 50% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $39,000
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $274

Diversity

WKU Urbana University
% Men 4% 57%
% Women 9% 43%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 57%
% Black 10% 24%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 6% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

WKU Urbana University
% In-State 70% 82%
% Out-of-State 29% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Urbana University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 587 students)

WKU vs. Urbana University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Urbana University?

  • Urbana University is 107.2% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($23,700.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.9% higher at WKU than Urbana University ($27,000.00 vs. $23,700.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Urbana University are 20.5% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($9,998 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Urbana University (99% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is ?% larger than aid received Urbana University ($10,906 vs. $0)

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 82 points higher than at Urbana University (965)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Urbana University (21)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Urbana University (3.14)

WKU vs. Urbana University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or Urbana University? 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 Urbana University and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Urbana University (50% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Urbana University earn on average $1,900 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($39,000 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Urbana University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $26,500)
  • WKU graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Urbana University graduates. ($250 vs. $274)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Urbana University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 45%)

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