WKU vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Wayne State College in Wayne, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than WSC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

WKU vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or WSC? 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 WSC ($12,548 vs. $16,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State College are 19.4% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,142 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 41.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSC (about $3,436 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 228.6% higher at WKU than at Wayne State College (about $18,784 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Wayne State College (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 67.6% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($10,921 vs. $6,517).

WKU vs. WSC Admissions comparison

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

• Wayne State College 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; WSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at WSC (3.36).

WKU vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and WSC? 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).

• Wayne State College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Wayne State College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State College graduates have a $4,200 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,050 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, WSC graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($207 vs. $250).
• More WSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.