Bellarmine University vs. WKU

Should I go to Bellarmine University or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bellarmine University or WKU 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
Bellarmine University vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
Bellarmine University Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Bellarmine University Western Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Bellarmine University WKU
Location Louisville, KY Bowling Green, KY
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 2,993 16,759
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #426 #968
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bellarmine.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bellarmine University WKU
Tuition (In State) $45,190 $11,436
Tuition (Out of State) $45,190 $27,000
Room & Board $10,250 $12,043
Avg Net Price $24,432 $12,054
Avg Grant Aid $35,954 $10,906
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Bellarmine University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,462 7,720
Admitted 3,240 7,492
Acceptance Rate 93.6% 97%
Enrolled % 19.5% 37.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/28 16/20
SAT Range 1075/1243 820/1010
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 Feb 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Bellarmine University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Bellarmine University WKU
Graduation Rate 66% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,300 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $258 $250

Diversity

Bellarmine University WKU
% Men 8% 4%
% Women 13% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 76%
% Black 4% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Bellarmine University WKU
% In-State 73% 70%
% Out-of-State 26% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Bellarmine University based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 2,993 students)

Bellarmine University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University or WKU?

  • Bellarmine University is 295.2% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($45,190.00 vs. $11,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.4% higher at Bellarmine University than Western Kentucky University ($45,190.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Bellarmine University ($12,054 vs. $24,432)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 17.5% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($10,250 vs. $12,043)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bellarmine University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 229.7% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($35,954 vs. $10,906)

Bellarmine University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bellarmine University (1120) is 73 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Bellarmine University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Bellarmine University (93.6%)

Bellarmine University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bellarmine University or WKU? 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 WKU and Bellarmine University.

  • The graduation rate at Bellarmine University is higher than Western Kentucky University (66% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Bellarmine University earn on average $13,200 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($50,300 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Bellarmine University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $25,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Bellarmine University graduates. ($250 vs. $258)
  • More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 47%)

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