WKU vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

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

WKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Location Bowling Green, KY Parkersburg, WV
Setting Small City Small Suburban
Enrollment 16,759 2,584
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu wvup.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $4,320
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $9,024
Room & Board $12,043 $7,200
Avg Net Price $12,054 $3,536
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $6,637
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 89%

Admission

WKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 -
Admitted 7,492 -
Acceptance Rate 97% Open
Enrolled % 37.7% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 -
Typical High School Grades 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg
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%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (40%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Science Technologies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

WKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Graduation Rate 50% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $31,500
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $12,031
Median Loan Payment $250 $124

Diversity

WKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
% Men 4% 13%
% Women 9% 21%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 92%
% Black 10% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

WKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
% In-State 70% 91%
% Out-of-State 29% 9%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than West Virginia University at Parkersburg based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 2,584 students)

WKU vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or West Virginia University at Parkersburg?

  • Western Kentucky University is 164.7% more expensive to attend than West Virginia University at Parkersburg for in-state tuition ($11,436.00 vs. $4,320.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 199.2% higher at WKU than West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($27,000.00 vs. $9,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University at Parkersburg than WKU ($3,536 vs. $12,054)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University at Parkersburg are 67.3% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($7,200 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (99% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 64.3% larger than aid received West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($10,906 vs. $6,637)

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

WKU vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (50% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn on average $5,600 more per year than West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $31,500)
  • West Virginia University at Parkersburg students graduate with a $12,219 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($12,031 vs. $24,250)
  • West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates are paying $126 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($124 vs. $250)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University at Parkersburg students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 33%)

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