Cal State East Bay vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University East Bay in Hayward, CA with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Cal State East Bay based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 12,326 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or WKU? 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 California State University East Bay than WKU ($9,850 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 29.4% lower than at California State University East Bay ($12,582 vs. $17,831).
• Western Kentucky University is 53.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State East Bay (about $4,069 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,583.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.8% higher at WKU than at California State University East Bay (about $6,817 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $20,183.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at California State University East Bay (99% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,369 vs. $10,921).

Cal State East Bay vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State East Bay or WKU? 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 WKU and Cal State East Bay.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Cal State East Bay (3.2).
• Cal State East Bay has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Cal State East Bay vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Cal State East Bay vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and WKU? 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 California State University East Bay's (43%).
• Graduates from California State University East Bay earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University East Bay graduates have a $7,918 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($16,332 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Cal State East Bay graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($168 vs. $250).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.