WKU vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

WKU vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson ($12,548 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 3.6% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($12,582 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 256.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $29,848 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at Warren Wilson than at Western Kentucky University (about $14,500 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 182.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($30,887 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 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; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

WKU vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson College's (45%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($237 vs. $250).
• More Warren Wilson 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.