CSU Stanislaus vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, 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 CSU Stanislaus based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 9,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Stanislaus is located in Turlock, CA (Small Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• California State University Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus 18:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

CSU Stanislaus vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus than WKU ($7,433 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 4.1% lower than at California State University Stanislaus ($12,582 vs. $13,126).
• Western Kentucky University is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Stanislaus (about $3,406 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.5% higher at WKU than at California State University Stanislaus (about $6,154 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $20,846.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at California State University Stanislaus (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Stanislaus students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,492 vs. $10,921).

CSU Stanislaus vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Stanislaus 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 CSU Stanislaus.

• 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: CSU Stanislaus - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Stanislaus Nov 30, 2026; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU Stanislaus students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at WKU (3.42).
• CSU Stanislaus has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at CSU Stanislaus vs. 30.2% at WKU.

CSU Stanislaus vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University Stanislaus earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Stanislaus graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU Stanislaus graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($155 vs. $250).
• More CSU Stanislaus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.