Alabama State vs. WKU

Alabama State University and Western Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Alabama State University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 97.6%). Typical SAT 950 vs 860.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $13,138 at Alabama State vs $12,548 at WKU. WKU in-state tuition is about $404 more per year.
  • Graduation: Alabama State 26% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Alabama State $29,500 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Alabama State University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
Alabama State97.6%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
Alabama State749-967
WKU840-1050
Average net price
About even
Alabama State$13,138
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
Alabama State $404 less
Alabama State$11,248
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
Alabama State $7,424 less
Alabama State$19,576
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +24 pts
Alabama State26%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$7,600
Alabama State$29,500
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Alabama State 7,229
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Alabama State 7,052
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Alabama State 97.6%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Alabama State 15%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Alabama State 860
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Alabama State 17
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Alabama State 2.95
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Alabama State B
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Alabama State Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Alabama State
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Alabama State 749-967
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Alabama State 15-20
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Alabama State Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Alabama State Jul 31, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Alabama State $11,248
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Alabama State $19,576
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Alabama State $7,816
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Alabama State $13,138
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Alabama State $11,583
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Alabama State 87%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Alabama State 26%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Alabama State $29,500
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Alabama State 20%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Alabama State $32,091
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Alabama State $331
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Alabama State 15:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Alabama State
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Alabama State Montgomery, AL
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Alabama State Midsize City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Alabama State 4,081
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Alabama State Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Alabama State #1014
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,081 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 37.9% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($7,816 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37.9% higher at WKU than at Alabama State University (about $7,424 more per year; $27,000 vs. $19,576).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Alabama State University (99% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama State University students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,583 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at Alabama State (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Alabama State and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.47 higher than at Alabama State (2.95).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $7,841 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($24,250 vs. $32,091).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($250 vs. $331).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 20%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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