WKU vs. West Virginia University Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than West Virginia University Tech based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); West Virginia University Institute of Technology is in Beckley, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; West Virginia University Institute of Technology 13:1.

WKU vs. West Virginia University Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Institute of Technology than WKU ($11,281 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 3.1% lower than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($12,582 vs. $12,986).
• Western Kentucky University is 38.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University Tech (about $3,228 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.1% higher at WKU than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (about $5,928 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.5% larger than aid received by West Virginia University Institute of Technology students ($10,921 vs. $10,068).

WKU vs. West Virginia University Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Tech and WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (1000) is 50 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming West Virginia University Tech 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; West Virginia University Institute of Technology 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; West Virginia University Institute of Technology 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; West Virginia University Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; West Virginia University Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman West Virginia University Tech students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than West Virginia University Tech (36.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 52.3% at West Virginia University Tech.

WKU vs. West Virginia University Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Institute of Technology's (29%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University Institute of Technology earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University Institute of Technology graduates have a $249 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($24,001 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University Tech graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($248 vs. $250).
• More West Virginia University Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.