WKU vs. Wilberforce University

Should I go to Western Kentucky University or Wilberforce University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WKU or Wilberforce 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Western Kentucky University vs. Wilberforce University comparison
Western Kentucky University Wilberforce University College 3 College 4
Western Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WKU Wilberforce University
Location Bowling Green, KY Wilberforce, OH
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 16,759 617
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #968
Religious Affiliation - African Methodist Episcopal - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wku.edu wilberforce.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WKU Wilberforce University
Tuition (In State) $11,436 $13,222
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $13,222
Room & Board $12,043 $7,700
Avg Net Price $12,054 $8,222
Avg Grant Aid $10,906 $15,228
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

WKU Wilberforce University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,720 12,661
Admitted 7,492 6,676
Acceptance Rate 97% 52.7%
Enrolled % 37.7% 3.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 2.82
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 14/18
SAT Range 820/1010 840/940
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

WKU Wilberforce University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (54%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

WKU Wilberforce University
Graduation Rate 50% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 39%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $20,750
Median Loan Payment $250 $214

Diversity

WKU Wilberforce University
% Men 4% 0%
% Women 9% 2%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 76% 1%
% Black 10% 84%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

WKU Wilberforce University
% In-State 70% 48%
% Out-of-State 29% 52%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Wilberforce University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 617 students)

WKU vs. Wilberforce University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Wilberforce University?

  • Wilberforce University is 15.6% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($13,222.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 104.2% higher at WKU than Wilberforce University ($27,000.00 vs. $13,222.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wilberforce University than WKU ($8,222 vs. $12,054)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilberforce University are 56.4% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($7,700 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Wilberforce University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wilberforce University students is 39.6% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($15,228 vs. $10,906)

WKU vs. Wilberforce University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 285 points higher than at Wilberforce University (762)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Wilberforce University (16)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Wilberforce University (2.82)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Wilberforce University (52.7%)

WKU vs. Wilberforce University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WKU or Wilberforce 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 Wilberforce University and WKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Wilberforce University (50% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn on average $900 more per year than Wilberforce University graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $36,200)
  • Wilberforce University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($20,750 vs. $24,250)
  • Wilberforce University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($214 vs. $250)
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilberforce University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 39%)

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