WKU vs. Wright State University-Lake Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Wright State University Lake Campus in Celina, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Wright State University-Lake Campus based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,356 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Wright State University Lake Campus is in Celina, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wright State University Lake Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Wright State University Lake Campus 13:1.

WKU vs. Wright State University-Lake Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Wright State University-Lake Campus? 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 Wright State University Lake Campus than WKU ($11,008 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wright State University Lake Campus are 6.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,750 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 50.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wright State University-Lake Campus (about $3,924 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.9% higher at WKU than at Wright State University Lake Campus (about $9,572 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Wright State University Lake Campus (99% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 145.1% larger than aid received by Wright State University Lake Campus students ($10,921 vs. $4,455).

WKU vs. Wright State University-Lake Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Wright State University-Lake Campus? 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 Wright State University-Lake Campus and WKU.

• Wright State University Lake Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Kentucky University (950) is 110 points higher than at Wright State University-Lake Campus (840).
• Incoming Wright State University-Lake Campus 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; Wright State University Lake Campus 790/890.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Wright State University Lake Campus 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Wright State University-Lake Campus - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Wright State University-Lake Campus Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Wright State University-Lake Campus (3.27).

WKU vs. Wright State University-Lake Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Wright State University-Lake Campus? 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 Wright State University Lake Campus's (30%).
• Graduates from Wright State University Lake Campus earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Wright State University-Lake Campus graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wright State University-Lake Campus graduates ($250 vs. $258).
• More Wright State University-Lake Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.