WKU vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; William Woods University 16:1.

WKU vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or WWU? 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 WWU ($12,548 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 3.6% lower than at William Woods University ($12,582 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 160.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $18,688 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at WWU than at Western Kentucky University (about $3,340 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University as at William Woods University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 103.3% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($22,204 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and WKU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman WKU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at WWU (3.4).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 23.6% at WWU.

WKU vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at WKU is the same as at William Woods University (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from William Woods University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $2,813 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,437 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($221 vs. $250).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.